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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
en games, Metro's volleyball team rebounded to sweep the School of Mines and Chadron State Sept. 12-13 to open conference play at the Auraria Events Center.
"It feels so good," middle blocker Lisa Jones said on getting back into the win column. "We've been working really hard this week. We had a lot of changes in our moods, and it's just good to know our hard work paid off."
Metro rolled to a 3-0 win against the Colorado School of Mines to record their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory. Not one Metro player recorded double figures in kills, but six 'Runners had at least five or more, displaying the depth this team carries.
"I think it was a great team effort," Metro head coach Debbie Hendricks said. "We got a lot of people in the match, and we beat them pretty soundly. I'm pleased with our first match, for sure."
Both teams are full of young talent, but neither team carries much senior leadership. In fact, there is not one senior on either squad.
The one key the coach spoke about in Friday's victory over the Orediggers was the productive distribution of the ball. Metro setters Amy Watanabe and Darcy Schwartzman contributed 15 and 19 assists respectively, and fed the ball to many different hitters.
"We're using more people and using a little more balanced offense, which is what we should be able to do with as much talent as we have on this team and good depth at every position," Hendricks said.
The following night, Metro had a surprising fight on their hands when Chadron State came ready to play at the events center.
Despite losing in three straight games, the Eagles hung tough in every game, giving Metro all they could handle.
"They played scrappy," Hendricks said on the Eagles' play. "I think we definitely had more offensive weapons, but at times, I think they out hustled us a little bit."
In game one, Chadron actually held a 16-15 lead after an attack error by freshman outside hitter Bri Morley. But the Roadrunners found their rhythm and reeled off a 9-2 run, giving them a 25-18 win.
Metro found themselves on the other side of the coin in game two, racing to a 17-9 lead. However, the Eagles fought back to within one point after Eagles outside hitter Elizabeth Most sparked the run, adding two of her team-leading 10 kills.
It looked as if Hendricks was ready to call a timeout to slow down Chadron's relentless attack, but the nine-year head coach held back to see if her team could overcome the run. The 'Runners composed their play and finished the game on an 8-2 run.
"I think it is important for us to work through things," Hendricks said. "I probably would have called a timeout if it was one more point, but I have great confidence in this team."
The Roadrunners went on to take the final game 25-20 to start 2-0 in the conference for the first time in five years. They look to extend that unblemished mark Sept. 19-20 with back-to-back road games against Colorado Christian and UC-Colorado Springs.
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