Chargers focus on postseason after enduring learning experience
With the postseason straight ahead, the women will apply what they learned
Casey Cheney
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: Sports
The Charger volleyball team has had a busy two weeks, with sophomore Ashlee Crowder once more named Player of the Week after the team won both of their away conference games on the weekend of Oct. 9. The team then went 1-2 in the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover Challenge tournament last weekend. They remain ranked at 23 in the nation despite this two tournament losses.
In their first of the two conference games, Hillsdale faced Saginaw Valley State University, both teams having the same conference record going into the game. However, the Chargers managed to sweep the Cardinals in three hard-fought matches. Hillsdale had five service aces and put on an impressive defensive performance with nine team blocks, 38 kills and 37 digs.
"We kept a very even temperament. They were very business-like in getting their job done," said heach coach Chris Gravel.
They proved their even temperament in the first game when the Chargers found themselves down 19-11, but dug themselves out to win the game. The key, said sophomore Morgan Podkul, was to focus on the task at hand rather than the importance of winning the match. This focus led to their victory, she said.
"We never felt like we were that down, and things started falling our way," junior and co-captain Sydney Dow said.
And they never looked back from there.
The confidence and consistency of Friday's game carried over into Saturday's match against Lake Superior State University as the Chargers took another match in three.
"Our ball control was excellent that first game, which kind of discouraged them a little bit," Gravel said. The Lakers had big hits, but Gravel said his team was able to dig them out, and their opponent was frustrated by game three.
"They're a team that when you're playing them they make you play your best game," Gravel said, adding that their best is better than the Laker's level of play.
Once the weekend's matches had ended, the Chargers readied themselves for the crossover tournament the following weekend, which consisted of three games rather than the usual two.
In their first of the two conference games, Hillsdale faced Saginaw Valley State University, both teams having the same conference record going into the game. However, the Chargers managed to sweep the Cardinals in three hard-fought matches. Hillsdale had five service aces and put on an impressive defensive performance with nine team blocks, 38 kills and 37 digs.
"We kept a very even temperament. They were very business-like in getting their job done," said heach coach Chris Gravel.
They proved their even temperament in the first game when the Chargers found themselves down 19-11, but dug themselves out to win the game. The key, said sophomore Morgan Podkul, was to focus on the task at hand rather than the importance of winning the match. This focus led to their victory, she said.
"We never felt like we were that down, and things started falling our way," junior and co-captain Sydney Dow said.
And they never looked back from there.
The confidence and consistency of Friday's game carried over into Saturday's match against Lake Superior State University as the Chargers took another match in three.
"Our ball control was excellent that first game, which kind of discouraged them a little bit," Gravel said. The Lakers had big hits, but Gravel said his team was able to dig them out, and their opponent was frustrated by game three.
"They're a team that when you're playing them they make you play your best game," Gravel said, adding that their best is better than the Laker's level of play.
Once the weekend's matches had ended, the Chargers readied themselves for the crossover tournament the following weekend, which consisted of three games rather than the usual two.
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