2008 Woodie Awards
Volleyball still looking to intensify and improve
Splits weekend matches against Idaho and Long Beach
Zack Farmer
Issue date: 9/12/06 Section: Sports
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Saint Mary's lost for the second time in a week to Long Beach State but this time in straight sets, 3-0.
Taylor Groess '09 led the team in kills with 14 and points with 10.5. Missie Stidham '08 recorded only eight kills and a .061 kill percentage.
"We came out strong and in control," said Coach Rob Browning. "We just couldn't finish."
The Gaels lost by a total of 14 points on Thursday. Browning said, "For sure, our most disappointing loss of the season."
Browning made changes late in the match against Long Beach State to mix things up. "It gives us some more options," Browning said. "We went with that lineup against Idaho."
Against Idaho, Browning played only eight players as opposed to the 11 he played against Long Beach State. The strategy immediately paid dividends as the Gaels won in three sets while having four players in double-figure kills. This included a career-high in kills from Megan Burton '10 and a double-double from Christina Kirk '07 who had 12 kills and 12 digs while recording a .688 kill percentage.
"She's definitely a cornerstone of our team," said Browning when referring to Kirk. "We really rely on her."
Stidham rebounded in this game with 15 kills and nine digs against Idaho.
The Gaels held Idaho to a .196 kill percentage while recording 44 digs to Idaho's 31.
Browning still sees much room for improvement. "We're looking for consistent play," said Browning. "We need to play with intensity and focus."
Intensity and focus will be key as they enter the Stanford Tournament in which they will play UC Irvine and #8 in the country Stanford.
The Gaels are 2-4 all-time against the Cardinals but have won two out of the last three, including two wins in the 2004 Sweet Sixteen season.
Against Nebraska last week, "we were with them play for play. One of their servers got on a roll and that was the difference," said Browning. "Against a team like Stanford, we've got to stay focused and believe that we can beat them."
With five players remaining from that 2004 team, Browning hopes that the experience of those players will come into play. "We want them to recapture the underdog feel."