2008 Woodie Awards
Volleyball team still hoping for playoffs
Jordan Buskirk
Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: Sports
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"We are constantly improving and we are winning games we should and playing good against the teams we lost to," said junior and outside hitter Michelle Fletcher.
As the season progresses and passes the midway point, individuals and the team as a whole have shown improvement, especially with the way the lineup has been changing since the start of the year. Senior and defensive specialist Cory Evans feels that the number one thing that needs improvement is "growing accustomed to our roles on the team. Most of our starting lineup are either in new positions or are new to starting and don't have a lot of actual game time experience under their belt."
Because of this unfamiliarity, she believes that the team tends to lose focus at the end of tough games, yet sees it happening less with more game time and practices.
The team may be split between experienced returnees and first-time all-stars, but the chemistry is undeniable.
"We only have a few new additions to the team, and it can be very intimidating to be thrust into a large group of girls who have been together for years. But the new girls have come in beautifully and have added their own qualities to our team dynamics. We love hanging out together outside of volleyball," said Evans.
The freshmen include Lindsay Brown, Sarah Illingworth, Natalie Coward, Deanna Thadgard and Samantha Jagoda. Brown has been seeing a lot of playing time on the court, at home and away, assisting the team with her sets. Illingworth has had her fair share of kills and blocks, adding to Sonoma's percentages.
Yet it is players like Lillian Harms, a junior and libero, who help carry the team with her consistent serve receive and defense. She has become one of the national leaders for defense, and in the game against CSU Stanislaus she shattered the previous school record for digs per match. Last year's record was set by junior and outside hitter Rosie Manton at 37, but Harms achieved 50 that game, still giving her enough time to surpass even that victory. Fletcher points out that the back row defense is their greatest strength, being directed by a libero who is one of the leading defensive players in the conference, making it really tough for the other team to get kills and keeping them in rallies.
However, volleyball is not all about the defense; offensive plays must also be highlighted. Hitting at the frontline and consistently racking up double digit kills are juniors Lindsay Webb and Rachel Sagapolu, Manton, Fletcher and Illingworth. Although, Fletcher believes that the team needs to improve upon getting kills without creating error.
"Our back row and blocking are great, and if we were able to put the ball down more often and change the errors into balls kept in play, then we will be in much better shape," said Fletcher.
This year's team proves that a combination of factors is needed in order to get to the top. Though most of the factors are technical, Harms considers playing at home the right medicine needed to fix any problem.
"We play better at home because we have a very supportive and enthusiastic crowd," said Harms.
Their home game against Cal Poly Ponoma resulted in a four game win, snapping them out of a losing streak.
"Our main goal for the season is to make regional playoffs. And that is very attainable as long as we continue to improve and stay focused down the stretch," said Evans.
Players are looking forward to games against UCSD and Chico, hoping the second time around they can fight hard enough to secure a victory.