'Runners tamed by Bears
by Nate Timmons
The Metropolitan
Carol A. Djekic / The Metropolitan
Metro Freshman Andra Pedersen spikes the ball during game three of the Oct. 19 match against the University of Northern Colorado. The Roadrunners lost 3-0.
Metro extended their winning streak on the road against Western State and Mesa State over the weekend before falling at home to the University of Northern Colorado Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Heading into Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference West Division play, the Roadrunners (12-11, 9-4 RMAC) set a goal to win five or maybe even six of their seven games. Metro however, decided to go ahead and just win them all.
"To win seven is huge," said head coach Debbie Hendricks. "Particularly to cap it off at Mesa."
The 'Runners swept Western State 30-17, 30-25, and 31-29 Friday, Oct. 15. Although Metro won all three games, they let Western (6-15, 3-10 RMAC) hang around. The 'Runners did not play as well as their coach hoped, but they still got the victory. "A road win like that is crucial to confidence," Hendricks said.
The 'Runners' offense against the Western Mountaineers was led by outside hitters Julie Green and Stefanie Allison with 14 kills each. Libero Taryn Drescher stayed true to her position definition (defensive specialist) and recorded a team high 15 digs.
Metro had to shift out of neutral and get it into gear against the Mesa State Mavericks (14-8, 9-4 RMAC), ranked second in the RMAC West, Saturday evening.
The Roadrunners came out and won the first game 30-28, but the Mavericks didn't want to disappoint their home crowd and won the next two games (28-30, 27-30).
Allison and her team pushed the match to a fifth and deciding game. After winning the fourth game 30-23, Hendricks applauded her team's effort. "We were out of sync, but we showed a lot of heart and courage," Hendricks said.
The fifth game could have easily gone to Mesa, but Metro battled. "We were down 14-11," Hendricks said. The Roadrunners staved off three match points and won the game 17-15.
Hendricks knew the Mavericks were attempting to put the final nail in the coffin. "(Mesa) had the nail in their hands," Hendricks said. "We didn't let them have it." Allison racked up a team high 15 kills with a .400 hit percentage in the match.
Six of the last seven of Metro's remaining regular season games are against RMAC East Division rivals. The 'Runners have a 2-4 record within the East Division, but with much improved play lately, perhaps payback is on their minds.
"We have confidence coming back to our division (matches)," Hendricks said. The Bears (16-7) earned their second sweep over Metro Tuesday, Oct. 19 (30-15, 30-18, 30-22). Earlier in the season Metro lost in three games to the Bears, but challenged throughout (27-30, 23-30, 30-32).
Tuesday night the Roadrunner offense was shorthanded against the Bears with the loss of outside hitter Julie Green. A right shoulder injury forced the budding star to watch from the sidelines. "It was really tough not being out there," said Green. The 'Runner offense is not dependent on the freshman (Green), but her presence was missed.
The UNC match does not jeopardize Metro's regional playoff chances, unlike the matches this coming weekend, Oct. 22 and 23.
Metro welcomes the Colorado School of Mines to Auraria Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. The 'Runners get their chance to avenge a disappointing loss to Regis Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at Auraria. The match-up has the players' full attention.
"We are looking forward to beating Regis," Green said.
The prediction sounds bold, but is shared by teammates. "We are going to win," said outside hitter Renee Hazlewood. |
