Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alex Holzinger The volleyball team played four games over Fall Break, going 1-3. Senior MC Ferguson (inset) spikes the ball.

The volleyball team's season has been marked with change. The team had a very rough start, losing their first 13 games, all on the road. When they came home they proceeded to win seven games in a row. After going 1-3 this weekend, the team stands at 8-19 for the season, good for eighth place in conference.

"Traveling and playing is hard. We had two weeks to prepare before our first game; to plug in new people and see how their performing," said Coach Mary Ann Schlientz.

"We looked so much better all of a sudden. Something clicked and now even when we lose we look so much better," said sophomore outside hitter Lucy Holifield. "We expect to win now."

The team came together to hammer out a big victory over conference challenger Rose-Hulman. This is only the second time the volleyball team has been victorious over Rose-Hulman.

"We've always had real close matches with them but could never push it over the top,' said Schlientz. "The girls were determined not to lose. Looking out on the court I knew that they were going to win."
One big change was the institution of the volleydolls. Each new player is paired with an older player. The older player is supposed to act as a counselor and a friend.

"The point is that if you need to talk to someone you have that opportunity," said Holifield explaining how the program extends beyond the court. Captain M.C. Ferguson came up with the name one night on a road trip.

"MC rolled over, still in her sleep, and said, 'We should call them volleydolls.' I said 'MC that's awful.' Then the name stuck," said Holifield.
"I really like my volleydoll," said exchange student and middle blocker Angelica Loderer of Dana Demilt. "She's my party girl. She's my lunch buddy."

Another change for the year was the establishment of personal goals for each player. Each player's goals depend on their position. It could be getting a certain number of digs during a game or using proper footwork. Goals for the entire team include having good communication and staying aggressive. This is the brainchild of assistant coach Kim Davis, according to Schlientz. And according to Loderer, the players have responded well to the system.

"We do our goals together before practice. After practice, as we're stretching, we get together and reflect on how we did," said Loderer.
The team has also started cross training, something they did not do last year. The team can be seen in the pool or doing circuit training with weights.

Today and tomorrow the Warriors will play four conference games at Rhodes. The games promise to be difficult. Their opponents, Southwestern, Trinity, and Rhodes, are the top three teams in the SCAC. The team doesn't seem too daunted, though.

"You always have to look forward to playing Trinity. They're really good and last time we played them we did very well," said Holifield.

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