SMC VOLLEYBALL: Belles display `good energy' in loss to Adrian
By KATIE McVOY
Associate Sports Editor
It wasn't a win on Tuesday night, but for a team that has been struggling just to stay focused on the game, the Belles four-game loss (30-21, 24-30, 22-30, 20-30) to Bulldogs of Adrian was almost as good.
"We were just really here," head coach Julie Schroeder-Biek said. "We came to play, we came to win. No, we did not pull out the win but we had really good energy, good communication going."
The Belles have lost their six games due, in the most part, to poor communication skills that were allowing the ball to fall.
"Before, no one was calling the ball," Schroeder-Biek said.
But Tuesday the Belles were able to take a solid victory in game one, even after falling behind 5-0. After allowing the Bulldogs to take the early lead, the Belles came back taking seven straight points and a lead that they didn't give up the rest of the game.
"The first game they couldn't catch us," Schroeder-Biek said. "We came out so strong and we stayed strong."
The last several matches, the Belles have had one solid player who has led the team. On Tuesday, they played as a whole.
"Team wise, [the good statistics] are nicely spread out," Schroeder-Biek said. "Elise [Rupright] and Elizabeth [Albert] in double digit kills and right behind them are Jolie [LeBeau] and Alison [Shevik]."
Albert led the team with 11 kills with only five errors and 15 digs. Joining in the offensive effort were Rupright, who marked 13 kills with only three errors and LeBeau, who finished the evening with nine kills.
The mental game was key for the Belles as well.
"Mentally we were more in it," Schroeder-Biek said. "We've been talking about it and I feel like everyone came to play. They came focused and gave what they have."
Despite the Belles strong play, they still couldn't bring home the victory. The Bulldogs, who have showed remarkable improvement this year, continued their win streak. They are 8-4 this season already, compared to a 4-10 finish last year.
"What they have is a history," Schroeder-Biek said. "They're doing really well this season and I think they have that confidence that we're just now gaining. I think that was the difference."
After winning the first game, it was errors that caused Saint Mary's downfall. In a reverse of the recent team history, over-aggressive play led to some hitting errors.
"Some were overaggressive errors where two people were calling the ball and neither person was backing off," Schroeder-Biek said.
With the game increasing team confidence, Saint Mary's is hoping to springboard to a strong finish to the season.
"Our goal now is to not go backwards," Schroeder-Biek said. "To build for the future."
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, October 17, 2001
