Indianapolis, IN — Injury
and frustration continue to be the common thread that has followed
the Goshen College volleyball squad this season, as the team
dropped its 11th consecutive match to Mid-Central Conference
foe Marian College Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
The Leafs dropped a 22-30, 26-30, 15-30 to the Knights for its
second MCC loss of the year, showing signs of promise and lack
of communication to head coach Jewel Lehman in the process.
“We have not yet corrected problems on the court such as
communication issues that will enable us to finish a close game
and go on to
win the match,” Lehman said. “Quite a few of the errors
we are making are related to communication and a loss of focus.
Even tough we are a small group, we are not playing up to our potential
by controlling the factors that we can.”
Among those factors Tuesday night were team serving percentage
(.836), team serve receive percentage (.837) and team attack percentage
(.108).
Even with the lack of performance, Goshen (0-11, 0-2) battled hard
with the Knights in the first stanza and fought to a 26-26 score
in the second game. It was at that point, according to Lehman,
that the team did not respond to the challenge in front of it.
“We were in a position to win the second game, fighting to
match their score of 26,” she said. “Instead of increasing
the intensity to win, we made errors that gave them the game.”
Following that frustrating loss, the team essentially ran out of
gas, dropping the final game 15-30.
Senior Anna Herdeck was again a bright spot for the team, notching
six kills to go with seven digs and a perfect serving percentage.
Sophomore Carly Feldman also tallied six kills with a team high
.200 attack percentage, tallying a team-best 13 digs as well. Classmate
Jessica Buller notched seven kills out of 30 attacks (-.067 attack
percentage), but also served perfectly on the evening. Sophomore
defensive specialist Christina Leichty dug 11 balls, going perfect
on serve receive.
“Anna Herdeck is playing well over all and our team defense is coming
together, however as a team we did not post the numbers needed
in serving, serve receive, setting, attacking, or blocking tonight,” Lehman
said. “Coach (Lauren) Goehring and I will reevaluate the
line-up and view the match tape to continue to explore ways to
maximize the collective efforts of the team.”
Lehman’s squad was again without the services of starting
sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Kennell, who has now missed
the last eight matches with a high ankle sprain. It is uncertain
as to when Kennell will return to the lineup.
Goshen will return to its home floor this weekend, when the team
hosts the Maple Leaf Invitational beginning Friday evening. The
Leafs will open its slate against Taylor University-Fort Wayne.
Match time is set for 6 p.m.Click here for real-time scoring updates
and tournament standings throughout the weekend.
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  Sophomore
Christina Leichty
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