Category | Sports

KSU splits weekend fixtures, breaks 7-game losing streak

Published on October 6, 2009 by John Morbitzer

It took two weeks and 7 matches, but KSU (8-7, 3-5) tallied a win in straight sets against the University of North Florida (7-8, 2-5) before dropping their Saturday match against Jacksonville (10-5, 6-2).

“We really tried to focus on playing the ball. Volleyball is such a game of instant gratification, so you want it all to happen, but we were patient this week. It worked out on defense, it worked out on offense and we saw those things come to fruition tonight,” head coach Karen Weatherington said.

The patience was evident for the Owls as UNF fought back from four points behind to take a 23-22 lead late in the second set. KSU forced set point, but a serving error left UNF with a chance. A kill by KSU forced another set point and the Owls finished the set with a point to win.

“Our setters were phenomenal, and tonight the offense did a superior job with the execution,” said Weatherington. “Our strategy was to take care of the ball, make that first pass and get the ball to the target, and from there we won’t have breakdowns.”

The setters, Senior Ginny Frederick and Sophomore Rachael Albright, combined for 32 of the team’s 39 assists, while Sabrita Gulley lead the team with 15 kills.

“I feel like we played incredible, one thing we did really well is that we played our game,” said Frederick.

After breaking the 7-game losing streak Friday night, the Owls welcomed the Jacksonville University Dolphins to the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon but struggled to string two wins together.

“We fought hard, but we didn’t put ourselves in a position to make the winning plays when we needed them,” said Weatherington.

The Owls were ahead in the second set 24-21 with set point on JU when the Dolphins rallied for three points to tie at 24. However, pressure from the Owls forced two JU errors, and KSU registered their only set win of the match.

A 7-1 lead for the Owls in set three diminished as the teams stayed locked at 23 late. An error by the Owls lead to set a point for JU, and a decision by the referee involving the attack antenna awarded the point, and the win, to the Dolphins.

A closely contested fourth set was taken over by JU who recorded a 5-0 run to take a lead and put the set and match out of reach.

Albright recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 assists and 14 digs against the Dolphins, while Asjia Stokes led the Owls with 15 kills to reach 225 on the season to set a career-high.

“We need to keep playing aggressively. When we play scared and make mistakes, we don’t play well. We need to work hard, and when we do, we win,” said Albright.

KSU takes the court again with a road trip to Florida as the Owls face Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast in conference matches Thursday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 10.