The Collegian

Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson The volleyball team defeated Spring Arbor University 3-0 at home on Aug. 28. Their next hmoe game is Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.

Doing their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde impersonation this past weekend, the women's volleyball team split their four games played at the Ashland University Tournament.

The 17th-ranked Chargers started out by losing their first two matches against 24th-ranked Northern Kentucky University, and Wheeling-Jesuit University.

"It was disappointing," head coach Chris Gravel said of Friday's games. "It was our first bad day of the year. But we recuperated well on Saturday."

The team quickly rebounded Saturday to win their final two matches against Bellarmine and Lock Haven Universities.

The team attributed the quick weekend turnaround to better consistency and intensity.

"We did not play up to our potential on Friday," Jen Pilot, a senior, said. "But Saturday's play was more consistent with a higher level of intensity that was more comparable to our practices. After realizing that on Friday we weren't better than anybody, we came into Saturday with the desire to prove that we were substantially better than every team we played. By taking the initiative to do this, we improved as the day went on, and connected better as a team."

After losing five seniors last season, the team is also attempting to find its identity with new players stepping up and freshmen playing intricate rolls on the team.

"There're so many new pieces to the puzzle," Gravel said. "We have so much room to improve. We're a work in progress, but we'll be a completed team by the end of the year."

Pilot agreed.

"Every player has designated her role on the team," Pilot said. "We still need to become more confident and comfortable in these roles."

Hillsdale will open up its GLIAC conference schedule this weekend at home in Jesse Phillips Arena. The Chargers will play Northwood University tomorrow night before taking on Saginaw Valley State University Saturday at noon.

"We are going to have a take no prisoners type of attitude," Pilot said. "We want the students to come to the games with high energy and loud cheering to contribute to what we hope will be two memorable dominating wins."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools