Volleyball claims first win in new conference
October 14, 2009
By Michael Omenazu
Sports Writer
Photo submitted by Michael Omenazu |
The UIS Volleyball team earned an historic win over Maryville University, the first for the athletic department within the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference.
The sports teams’ transition to this new level of competition has been a struggle. Women’s soccer is 0-11 within the conference and has yet to score in any of those games. Men’s soccer is 0-10-1, being outscored 39-4 on the season.
The women’s volleyball team experienced similar outcomes, heading into the match against Maryville with a double digit (10) losing streak.
Senior captain Sarah Cooper commented on the team’s recent slide saying, “It’s frustrating and you just hope the next game you win. You just try to not get too down on yourself.”
The Prairie Stars started the first game of the match by quickly falling behind, looking as if they were headed toward another defeat.
However, the Lady Prairie Stars remained resilient, using multiple comeback efforts to mark a historic milestone for UIS athletics.
Keeping the game close, UIS had multiple opportunities to tie late and eventually did at the 24th point. Both schools’ inability to pull away was evident throughout the match and specifically in a long volley for the 25th point that featured both teams going back and forth.
Needing to win by two, UIS won 29-27. After scoring the decisive point, the Prairie Stars reacted with enthusiastic exhilaration.
Following the pattern of the first game, the second was also close. After remaining close around the 17th point, Maryville advanced with a slim margin of victory (25-23).
The third game featured a strong start by UIS as they jumped out to a 6-0 lead. Maryville responded by calling a timeout and answering with five straight points. Multiple ties later, UIS prevailed 25-16.
Riding a wave of momentum, UIS finished off Maryville, winning 25-22 and three games to one overall. Finishing off teams has been a point of emphasis throughout the season, particularly after matches where the squad unsuccessfully capitalized opportunities to put away opponents early.
“[The team] didn’t really change much, we just talked about finishing the match and we did,” head coach Angie Riggle pointed out.
The team’s consistent struggle not only accurately reflected the close nature of the contest, but athletics’ transition to the NCAA. UIS has been competitive in a majority of its matches yet has not been able to finish with a win.
The university continues to work on establishing itself as a premier academic and athletic institution. The volleyball win, first in the athletics program’s history, now serves as the foundation for it to build on for the future.
