Spring Break
A season of struggles nears end for volleyball
Tom Mavraganis
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Sports
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The first game begins Friday night at 7 p.m. against Oakland (16-7, 9-5). The second contest will take place Saturday night at 7 p.m. against IPFW (16-9, 9-5).
The 'Necks go into Friday's match after a 3-0 road win over Centenary. The win against Centenary snapped a seven-game losing-streak for the 'Necks.
In the victory over the Ladies, Western was led by sophomore Krissy Bergquist with 13 kills. Junior Ellen Miller had 37 assists and 12 digs on the night, and freshman Bridget Murphy chipped in with 12 digs.
Western has played Oakland and IPFW once already this season. The 'Necks beat IPFW 3-2 on Oct. 9 but fell to Oakland 0-3 Oct. 10. IPFW and Oakland are currently tied for second place in the conference standings. The 'Necks are currently in eighth place in the conference standings with the Summit League Tournament mostly out of reach for head coach Kym McKay's squad.
"We can handle our side and play for the enjoyment and the thrill of competing and wanting to end that season on a positive note," McKay said. "For the seniors to walk away from their senior season in a positive light, for those returners to go into our spring season knowing how well we're playing at the end of the year, to get excitement for the fall of 2010."
McKay looks forward to having some of her young players back for next year, including sophomore Brooke Stittleburg who was named Western's player of the month by her teammates in October.
"It's an internal award," McKay said. "The players vote on it. It's voting for that teammate that you're emulating every day, that's coming to practice, changing the culture of the game, being positive. The players can nominate players that they have enjoyed playing with for that month. Overall, it's just that pat on the back to that player to say 'hey, you know what? Your team and coaches are acknowledging how special you were to this team in that month,' and Brooke has had an outstanding month."
Oakland
When the Golden Grizzlies played the 'Necks earlier this season, they faced a Leatherneck team that was in an all out battle the night before.
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