The Observer, September 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 2
Spartan volleyball opens with pleasant surprises
The Spartan volleyball team traveled to Mount Union College last weekend for the traditional season-christening tournament. Despite returning with only one win and three losses, it was an overall positive result for a team looking to continue the improvement begun last season.
The Lady Spartans were swept in three close sets by Mount Union, but were able to rebound to play another close match against Denison, losing 3-1. On Saturday, the Lady Spartans were barely ousted by Westminster, 3-1, losing two sets by a slim 30-28 score. In the final match of the weekend, the Lady Spartans finally found their stride with a resounding 3-1 victory over Geneva.
"We competed very well against every team we played," said head coach Karen Farrell. "It was a much higher level of play than last year. Those were some tough teams." Farrell observed that the team was a little more "in-sync offensively" at the end of the week. According to Farrell, the success at the end of the tournament could be attributed to a "higher level of energy, enthusiasm, and intensity that carried us to stay in points and come back from mistakes."
"The team performed well, for it being our first tournament," said sophomore S.K. Piper, who led the team with 46 kills on the weekend. "Last year we were absolutely annihilated by some of those teams, Mount Union especially, but this year we held our own."
With any collegiate team, it is always exciting to finally see the incoming class in action, and the freshmen certainly held their own. "Our freshmen stepping it up and immediately assuming important roles on our team was definitely a pleasant surprise," said Piper.
Beth Karpinski in particular made an instant impact, not only by starting, but also by recording 42 kills, including 17 in the final match. "Beth was on fire on the outside," said Piper. "They couldn't pick up anything she sent at them."
"I was surprised, I'm not going to lie," Karpinski said. "Playing was definitely different than high school. It was a little faster, but once I made the adjustment I was alright." If the Lady Spartans want to continue to find success, they will need to learn to integrate the eight new freshmen into the solid upperclass core from previous seasons.
"We just got more comfortable with the core and with each other as teammates," said Coach Farrell. "The players really demonstrated the depth of the team this weekend. We were able to put different players on the floor and compete at the same consistent level. We're going to wear teams down." Coach Farrell believes that this depth will be a key to the season, allowing the team to bring in "players with fresh legs [off the bench] and maintain the same level of play. It's a huge asset, and we have that ability."
Coming home with a 1-3 record might seem disappointing on paper, but the weekend proved to be beneficial to a team looking to improve this season.
