VOL 78 /10
Home > Archives > Sports > Volleyball serves up big win
Volleyball serves up big win
BY KJESTINE STEINBRING
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ALEXANDER SUSUKI / STATESMAN
LEFT: Sophomore Sarah Wyffels points out the defense.
RIGHT: Freshman Brenda Henson sets up for a serve.
The No. 2 ranked UMD women's volleyball team remains perfect at home after defeating No. 3 Concordia St. Paul on Tuesday in a thrilling match that lasted five games.
This match was set to be a great one from the outset, with Concordia's fans busing up to Romano Gymnasium for the big match-up.
Game one gave fans on both sides a taste for the intense play that was to come. After a long volley with UMD ahead 7-5, the Bulldogs were able to block a few hits at the net and gain momentum to build a big lead and eventually win the game 30-19.
"Volleyball is a game of momentum," said head coach Jim Boos. "In the first two games we had it all going our way."
The second game was more of the same style of play, with good hits up front from Vicky Braegelmann and Sarah Wyffels, who both had five kills in game two alone. Also coming up big for the Bulldogs was Kari Wolford and Danielle Beckstrand who each had four key hits in the game.
"The girls played well the first games," Boos said. "Concordia made some errors with serves in the net, and we took advantage of that."
The second game was a long one, with neither team wanting to concede defeat. The final score was 36-34 in UMD's favor, putting the Bulldogs up two games to none.
"Somehow during the eight minute break between the second andthird games the momentum switched from us to them," said Boos. The Golden Bears of St. Paul took advantage of their new found energy, winning game three 30-22, and game four 30-20.
"The reason we lost those games was because of errors," said senior Kari Wolford. The rowdy crowd at Romano Gym rejuvenated the Bulldogs after games three and four and gave UMD the boost they needed. The fans' energy propelled the Bulldogs to surge from a 6-9 deficit and tie the game at 10-10 after a back breaking kill by Wolford.
"The girls fought back, and the crowd was great," said Boos. "They gave the girls a little something extra right when they needed it." Wolford ended the Golden Bear's hopes of an upset with the final kill giving UMD a 16-14 victory in the fifth game and the match win.
"Playing against tough teams and doing well is a real confidence booster," said Wolford. "When it comes time for regions we know we just recently played a real tough team and won. It makes you feel good."
