'Runners back to Loper-land
by Nate Timmons
The Metropolitan
The Roadrunner volleyball team accomplished two things during the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament this past weekend. First, they defeated the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls, 3-0, for the second time this season. Second, they earned a trip back to Kearney, Neb., for the regional eight-team tournament Nov. 19-21.
File Photo / The Metropolitan
The volleyball team received an NCAA tournament berth Monday after making it to the RMAC semifinal. The eighth-ranked Roadrunners travel to Kearney, Neb., where they will face first-ranked Lopers.
Metro (17-14) dismantled the Cowgirls (13-14) in the first round of the RMAC tournament (30-15, 30-26, 30-19). Junior outside hitter Sheena McLaughlin led the 'Runners with a match-high 14 kills on a .300 hit percentage and she led the defensive effort with 15 digs.
In the semi-final match against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (36-0), Metro was again defeated in three games (30-16, 30-17, 30-26). Sophomore outside hitter Stefanie Allison led Metro with 11 kills on a .308 hit percentage. Putting up monster numbers again for the Lopers was middle hitter Erin Gudmundson: 19 kills on a .516 hit percentage along with six blocks. The game marked the third sweep this season for the Lopers against the 'Runners.
Doubt loomed Sunday evening as the team gathered to find out if a bid to the regional tournament would be extended.
"I was pissed (after the Kearney loss)," said outside hitter Julie Green. "I wanted to hear from our coaches that we made it."
The team was anxious to find out if their season would continue and what team they would play, according to McLaughlin.
The doubt was gone as Metro learned they had indeed received a bid.
"If you looked at this team eight weeks ago this couldn't have happened," said head coach Debbie Hendricks.
The 'Runners record stood at 5-10 after suffering an embarrassing loss to Regis on Sept. 25, 0-3. The loss seemed to awaken the team as they finished the season, including the RMAC tournament, with a 12-4 record.
Their effort did not go unnoticed by the regional panel.
The Roadrunners enter the Division II Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament as the eighth seed in the Southwest region. They will play Friday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. against the top-seeded Lopers, for an unprecedented fourth match.
After learning of their opponent, McLaughlin, Allison and Green agreed that "revenge" is on their minds. The three also like the fact they will again be the "underdogs" against the Lopers.
Metro has not scored more than 26 points in any game against the Lopers this year. That mark was reached in the third games against Kearney the first time they played (Sept. 10) and the last time (Nov. 13). Having seen the Lopers many times this year, Hendricks said her team is focusing much of its attention on Kearney's weaknesses which Metro has exploited at times this year.
The 'Runners will use direct serves and a more pinpoint offense to their advantage. They must also find a way to shut down Kearney's middle hitters, who have wreaked havoc on Metro this year.
The undefeated Lopers do not seem to have many cracks in their armor, but the Roadrunners are not shying away from the challenge.
"We are going to surprise a lot of people," Allison said. |
