Huntington, IN — It was a
whirlwind of emotions for the Goshen College women’s volleyball
team Wednesday night at Huntington University, as the squad dropped
a 3-0 decision to the Foresters but learned that senior outside/middle
hitter Danielle Haney did not suffer a torn ACL earlier in the
season and may be back by the year’s end.
Goshen (2-14, 0-4) dropped a 24-30, 18-30, 17-30 to Huntington
just four days after taking the Foresters to a five-game marathon
at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Collegiate Challenge Tournament
(click here for article). While displeased with the team’s
inability to better its earlier performance against the Foresters,
Goshen head coach Jewel Lehman said she was pleased to hear the
news that Haney did not suffer as severe of a knee injury as initially
thought. Haney received MRI results Tuesday revealing a sprain
of several ligaments in her right knee, but no tearing. Haney,
who suffered the injury at the Maple Leafs Invitational on Sept.
15 (click here for article), will not require surgery and could
be back in the lineup by mid to late October, according to doctors.
“That was some good news for us today,” Lehman said
following Wednesday night’s match. “Getting Danielle
back would be a welcomed sight.”
It is uncertain of whether or not Haney would have helped the Leafs
much against Huntington, as the Foresters’ Stephanie Stearns
came up with 26 digs on the night, severely limiting Goshen’s
attack.
“We played well in the first game but let them get a run
toward the end,” Lehman said. “Huntington’s back-row
defense, especially Stearns, is so strong it was hard to get the
ball to the floor.”
The Leafs’ serving and passing was respectable on the night — Goshen
committed just three service errors to go with seven aces — while
the team’s attack percentage diminished as the night went
on. After a first-game attacking clip of .047, the Leafs hit for
the negative in the final two, posting -.,043 and -,091 averages.
“We will continue to practice hitting around the block so
our offense is stronger,” Lehman said. “We need to
be more deceptive as well.”
Junior Stephanie Kennell paced the Leafs’ offense with eight
kills on a .217 attack percentage. Freshman Gina Richard placed
six attacks for points (.294 percentage), while junior Jess Buller
struggled with just five kills on a -.179 rate. Buller did lead
the way with 10 digs, however, as freshman Alli Hawkins ran the
offense with 18 sets. Kennell and Richard each placed two service
aces. Hawkins finished with nine digs. Richard posted eight and
Kennell seven.
“We have a tendency to let up a bit in the middle now so
we will work on maintaining our focus,” Lehman said. “We
have been working on our block and although we didn’t block
many for points we did touch more hits and send some back to their
side.”
Now halfway through the Mid-Central Conference portion of its schedule,
Goshen looks for a surge down the stretch. In addition to facing
four more league opponents, the Leafs have rematches with Grace
Bible College and Taylor University-Fort Wayne down the road. Lehman
said that with Haney’s positive report, this team has the
ability to make some waves during the months of October and November.
“I see a lot of progress on the court even though the score
at the end was not in our favor,” Lehman said Wednesday. “When
I look on the court and I see a freshman setter, middle blocker
and outside hitter across the front row. I remember we are young
and getting used to a different pace and complexity of play than
we are used to. The majority of our returning players are in different
positions than last year and they are gaining valuable experience
and making progress with each match as well. It is easy to get
frustrated with the losses, but I am pleased with the determination
and perseverance of this team and I know that this work will pay
off in the future. Every practice and match is an investment for
us and we are encouraged to know that with continued hard work
and persistence, the dividends will come. Recruiting is looking
good for us thus far and we will increase on the numbers and depth
so injuries and other circumstances will not have as great an impact.
This team is comprised of women of character and determination
and it is fun and rewarding to work together toward common goals.”
Goshen will take a weekend break before returning to MCC play Tuesday,
when the team hosts Indiana Wesleyan University. Match time is
set for 7 p.m.
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  Junior
Stephanie Kennell
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