Volleyball takes on conference foes
Ryne Wooden
Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: Sports
The Fighting Leatherneck volleyball team (3-8, 0-1 Summit League) will host two conference opponents this weekend at Brophy Hall.
On Friday night, the 'Necks face Southern Utah (3-7, 1-1 Summit League) and conclude their brief home stand with University of Missouri-Kansas City (4-7, 0-2 Summit League) on Saturday night.
"We are excited to be home," said head coach Kym McKay. "We are very eager to play, and I believe that you have to want to play if you're going to win."
Southern Utah
The match-up Friday night will be the first time in school history that Western has taken on Southern Utah.
The Thunderbirds have a new volleyball program that sprouted last year. Although this is the first season for the young Southern Utah team, they have already earned an upset win against IPFW, a team that was ranked No. 2 in the Summit League preseason.
"They have really taken everyone in the league by surprise," McKay said. "I know other coaches as well as me hoped they would take a few years to build up their team, but they have already come out and showed that they can play with any of us."
UMKC
On Saturday, Western will host UMKC, who the 'Necks split with in two matches last year.
The Summit League appears to be very competitive from top to bottom this year according to McKay.
"Usually there are a couple of teams at the bottom of the conference in which you can go into that match knowing you can win. This year is completely different, every game is a battle from beginning to end," McKay said.
The 'Necks traveled to Peoria, Ill., Tuesday to play Bradley University. Western left Bradley with a five set victory 25-17, 28-26, 22-25, 18-25, 15-12.
The victory improved their record to 3-8 after a four game skid on the road. The 'Necks have a chance to move to the top half of the conference if they can pull out a sweep over the weekend.
"We need to control our side of the net, if we can focus ourselves and play with the energy and confidence we showed against Bradley, we can win both games this weekend," McKay said. "Even if we get off balance, the girls need to step up and still take the big swings that are needed."
McKay thinks her squad can succeed in the Summit if they are up to the task as they open up conference play at home.
"We know every player on the other side of the net whenever we take on a conference opponent," McKay said. "We already know what they're going to throw at us, all we need to focus on is executing and playing with intensity throughout the entire match."
The 'Necks will compete against Southern Utah this Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. The following match against UMKC is slated to start at 7 p.m. this Saturday.
On Friday night, the 'Necks face Southern Utah (3-7, 1-1 Summit League) and conclude their brief home stand with University of Missouri-Kansas City (4-7, 0-2 Summit League) on Saturday night.
"We are excited to be home," said head coach Kym McKay. "We are very eager to play, and I believe that you have to want to play if you're going to win."
Southern Utah
The match-up Friday night will be the first time in school history that Western has taken on Southern Utah.
The Thunderbirds have a new volleyball program that sprouted last year. Although this is the first season for the young Southern Utah team, they have already earned an upset win against IPFW, a team that was ranked No. 2 in the Summit League preseason.
"They have really taken everyone in the league by surprise," McKay said. "I know other coaches as well as me hoped they would take a few years to build up their team, but they have already come out and showed that they can play with any of us."
UMKC
On Saturday, Western will host UMKC, who the 'Necks split with in two matches last year.
The Summit League appears to be very competitive from top to bottom this year according to McKay.
"Usually there are a couple of teams at the bottom of the conference in which you can go into that match knowing you can win. This year is completely different, every game is a battle from beginning to end," McKay said.
The 'Necks traveled to Peoria, Ill., Tuesday to play Bradley University. Western left Bradley with a five set victory 25-17, 28-26, 22-25, 18-25, 15-12.
The victory improved their record to 3-8 after a four game skid on the road. The 'Necks have a chance to move to the top half of the conference if they can pull out a sweep over the weekend.
"We need to control our side of the net, if we can focus ourselves and play with the energy and confidence we showed against Bradley, we can win both games this weekend," McKay said. "Even if we get off balance, the girls need to step up and still take the big swings that are needed."
McKay thinks her squad can succeed in the Summit if they are up to the task as they open up conference play at home.
"We know every player on the other side of the net whenever we take on a conference opponent," McKay said. "We already know what they're going to throw at us, all we need to focus on is executing and playing with intensity throughout the entire match."
The 'Necks will compete against Southern Utah this Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. The following match against UMKC is slated to start at 7 p.m. this Saturday.
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