GOSHEN, Ind. – The Maple Leaf volleyball team wasted little time making a statement of what they are capable of in 2008.
Returning most of the key parts from the first winning season in three years, expectations around the Goshen College volleyball program were higher than in most years.
But few expected quite what the Maple Leafs had in store as they defeated NAIA #17 Walsh College in their season-opener and went on to a 3-1 record at the Cornerstone Classic this weekend.
On strength of game record and point ratio, the Leafs took 2nd place in the ten-ten tournament, which featured national ranked Walsh as well as Malone College and host Cornerstone who both received votes in the NAIA preseason poll. Talk about turning some heads. A team that wasn't picked to finish in the top five in the Mid-Central Conference takes out some of the best in the country.
It all started with that win over Walsh on Friday evening, a 25-20, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19 decision. It was no surprise that last year's NAIA Region VIII Freshman of the Year Peni Acayo led the charge with 17 kills, while hitting a sparkling percentage of .361. Fellow sophomore Kelsey Herschberger was not far behind as she posted 15 kills and hit for a .357 percentage. Junior setter Ali Hawkins posted a match-high 41 assists.
"As usual, Walsh is a tough team, but we were able to minimize our errors and implement our new system effectively," excited fifth-year head coach Jewel Lehman explained. "Our passing was very accurate and therefore we were attacking well with our top two hitters over 35 percent."
One of the weaknesses of last year's squad became a strength on Friday as Goshen was a force at the net on defense. The Leafs tallied six solo and nine assisted blocks as a team, which slowed Walsh, while taking pressure off the offense.
"The block frustrated Walsh's top hitter throughout," added Lehman. "The hits that got through the front line were kept in play by the back row defense. We were moving well and had several 'pancake' saves."
Junior Brittany Herschberger led the team with 14 digs, while sister Kelsey tallied three solo blocks and one assisted as the defense sparked Goshen to an outstanding season-opening win.
"We worked very hard during the match on every play and the athletes were patient when the score was tight," said Lehman, who couldn't hold back a smile. "All of these factors came together to help us secure a win."
Having to quickly regroup and not let their emotions get the best of them, the Maple Leafs played a much-weaker Virginia Intermont College squad later Friday night.
Goshen was able to avoid the let down from a big win as they dispatched the Cobras 25-13, 25-16, 25-10. Newcomers Indy Miller (8 kills) and Cassandra Grieves (6 kills, 5 aces) led the way as Lehman was able to rest some of her regular starters and still get results.
"With such depth this year, we were able to use a different lineup," Lehman commented. "This match was a great opportunity to let everyone work out the first match jitters and see how players work together."
Without the freshman – who had to return to campus for New Student Oreientation – and with less energy overall, the hiccup came for the Leafs as they lost 16-25, 27-25, 21-25, 23-25 to the University of Northwestern Ohio early Saturday morning.
Acayo again led the Leafs with 20 kills, while Gina Richard added nine and Hawkins dished out 36 assists.
"Our performance was sporadic and unreliable," Lehman admitted. "We were less accurate with passes and made many more errors. One upset against a great team is fun, but it may be considered a fluke unless proven otherwise with consistent play and wins over the tough teams," added Lehman about the win over Walsh and how the team must move forward.
Despite Lehman not being there to see it – Lehman, the head of the Physical Education Department, had to return to campus for teaching responsibilities – the Leafs got the message and rebounded in their final match of the tournament.
With assistant coach Val Herscheberger at the helm, Goshen fought for a 25-18, 15-25, 25-16, 25-17 victory over the University of Rio Grande.
"We struggled some wearing down and getting a bit tired," said Herscheberger. "We were also a bit banged up, but to finish with a win was important for us."
Acayo again led Goshen with 14 kills on way to being selected to the all tournament team. Brittany Herschberger had 10 kills and three assists, while Richard registered nine kills, and Hawkins dished out 32 assists.
Goshen is off until next weekend when they travel to the Chicago Crossover Tournament hosted by Illinois Institute of Technology.
Click Here For Complete 2008 Season News
|
