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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Metro's volleyball team outlasted three conference foes in three nights Oct. 9-11 at the Auraria Events Center.
The Roadrunners (11-7, 9-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) came into the weekend having lost two of their past three matches, with both losses coming against RMAC powerhouses Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Lewis.
They first looked to get back on track with a match against Adams State on Oct. 9. It took the home team five games to bring home the win. Metro took game one easily by a 25-11 score, but allowed the Grizzlies to grab games two and three. After pulling off the win in game four, the 'Runners jumped out to a 6-3 lead to cruise to the game five win and the match victory.
Metro outside hitter Amanda Cook led all players with 18 kills and added 10 digs. Adams State middle blocker Darcy Jennings led the way for the Grizzlies with 11 kills and five blocks.
Their following night's match against Western State wasn't much easier for the Roadrunners. And just like the night before, they were without starting middle blocker Anna Mapes and starting outside hitter Bri Morley.
The first game belonged to Metro, who darted out to a 10-6 lead. Western State did cut the lead to two at 13-11, but the Roadrunners successfully attacked the middle, finding holes throughout the match. Metro middle blockers Julie Causseaux and Lisa Jones combined for nine kills in the game one win.
But the strong start may have allowed the young 'Runners to relax a little, as the Mountaineers fought back to grab games two and three. Just like the previous night, Metro came out strong, but seemed to lay off the pedal to allow the opposition to get back into the match.
"I think this is beginning to become a little bit of a pattern for us," Metro head coach Debbie Hendricks said. "I want us to break that pattern soon. We come out strong and finish strong, but we fall asleep in the middle of the match. Hopefully we're beginning to realize that's not the most efficient way to win a match."
Game four saw the two conference combatants go blow-for-blow and point-for-point. The game saw eight ties and five lead changes. With the game tied at twelve, Cook came through with a kill that sparked a 6-1 run.
Metro had game point at 24-17, but the Mountaineers valiantly fought back within two points on kills by Erin Osleson and Amanda Passehl along with two Metro attack errors. With the score at 24-22, Jones pounded out a kill that caused the Auraria Events Center crowd to erupt in cheers and also swung the momentum back in the Roadrunners' favor.
In the final game, the home team used three kills from Causseaux to take an 8-5 lead. But the relentless Western State team didn't want to give up quite yet. A Metro service error and two kills by Passehl put the game within one for the Mountaineers.
But the Roadrunners came through in the end to take the 15-13 game five victory and also the match.
"I'm proud of them," Hendricks said. "Anytime you go to game five, anything can happen and in the eight days, we've won three of them that way, so it shows a lot of courage and character to pull it off in five."
Metro middle blocker Erin Keller came off the bench for her injured counterparts through the first two games and played her best games as a Roadrunner. The red shirt sophomore tallied 24 kills in the two wins and just kept the offense going without a hitch.
"I think you have to be ready," Keller said. "I think anyone on our bench can come in at any time and they trust me on the floor, which is nice. I can just come in and just go with the flow."
Hendricks said that Keller doesn't get too much playing time starting behind Morley, but she values players like Keller, who can come off the bench and be productive.
"That's when you really appreciate a player who isn't playing on a regular basis, but when we need them, they are ready to go. It's kind of a reward for her effort and she has definitely showed up this week."
For the finale, Metro defeated CSU-Pueblo in four games to finish the weekend sweep. Morley returned to the lineup and contributed 12 kills.
The three wins improved the 'Runners' record to 9-2 in the RMAC and will take their win streak on the road to face off Oct. 16 against New Mexico Highlands and Oct. 18 against Western New Mexico.
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