2008 Woodie Awards
Mavericks host Warriors, Peacocks in NSIC matchups
MSU prepares for critical matchups at home
by Josh Hebrink
Issue date: 10/9/08
Section: Womens Sports
Unlike high school athletics, every match counts in the NCAA.
And even though the Minnesota State volleyball team is rolling with six straight Northern Sun Conference victories, the squad has reached the point during the season where it's time to play every remaining match as if it were the playoffs.
"Every match is important because we need to play our way into the tournament," said head coach Dennis Amundson, "so essentially, we're treating these matches as if they're the first round of the playoffs."
MSU, now 11-8 overall and 6-2 in NSIC action, will test its playoff mentality starting with an NSIC rubber match against Upper Iowa University (9-9, 2-6 NSIC) at 7 p.m. Friday in the Taylor Center.
The Mavericks defeated the Peacocks Sept. 30 in four sets, 22-25, 25-12, 25-12, 25-21, in Fayette, Iowa.
But even with the home court advantage in MSU's favor, the Mavericks are still making improvements and adjustments in practice this week to try to finish the season sweep of the Peacocks.
"They beat us a lot in the cross-court last time," Amundson said, "so we're going to have to be able to counter attack that and continue to serve well."
For Upper Iowa, southpaw Shea Meyermann was able to power pass MSU's blockers for 16 kills while Sara Vance added 11 kills in the previous match. Vance also leads the NSIC in service aces with 0.41 per set.
"They know we had trouble with those hitters," Amundson said. "We're going to have to anticipate that a little better and execute against their serves properly."
But during the meeting with UIU, MSU was able to score 12 service aces compared to Upper Iowa's lone ace.
Freshman outside hitter Alli Rice contributed five of those aces.
"We played really aggressive," said Rice, "but our serving was working well and definitely helped us build on other parts of the game."
Even though service aces helped MSU build momentum, it can't rely on aces to win the match.
"You can definitely lose a match if you have poor serving," Amundson said, "but in order for us to win we're not only going to have to serve the ball well, but we have to be able to block and dig the ball as well.
"But the thing that matters most is hitting efficiency and the team with the highest hitting efficiency tends to win the most matches."
So far the Mavericks are firing at a .218 clip compared to a .156 percentage by its opponents this season.
Pacing MSU's high efficiency has been senior outside hitter Ashley Nachriner (.244). And even if they don't have quite as many attempts as Nachreiner, junior right side Ally Kwikkel and sophomore right side Kimber Kuhl are accurately pounding the ball at .283 and .251, respectively.
Not only will MSU's powerful hitting game play a key role against Upper Iowa, but the Mavericks will also need consistent play when they take on Winona State (7-10, 5-3 NSIC) Saturday at 5 p.m..
The Warriors, currently in sixth place in NSIC standings, have solid middle hitters that can run the slot well and also have a dynamic center in sophomore Mollie Bjelland.
"If we can control their slide at the point of attack then I think we can have a fairly decent chance at competing with them," Amundson said. "But the key will be to focus on how we're playing while we're playing."
More importantly, the Mavericks will get a full week of rest and can spend more time adjusting to their upcoming opponents as they try to defend their unbeaten home record.
Josh Hebrink is a Reporter staff writer
And even though the Minnesota State volleyball team is rolling with six straight Northern Sun Conference victories, the squad has reached the point during the season where it's time to play every remaining match as if it were the playoffs.
"Every match is important because we need to play our way into the tournament," said head coach Dennis Amundson, "so essentially, we're treating these matches as if they're the first round of the playoffs."
MSU, now 11-8 overall and 6-2 in NSIC action, will test its playoff mentality starting with an NSIC rubber match against Upper Iowa University (9-9, 2-6 NSIC) at 7 p.m. Friday in the Taylor Center.
The Mavericks defeated the Peacocks Sept. 30 in four sets, 22-25, 25-12, 25-12, 25-21, in Fayette, Iowa.
But even with the home court advantage in MSU's favor, the Mavericks are still making improvements and adjustments in practice this week to try to finish the season sweep of the Peacocks.
"They beat us a lot in the cross-court last time," Amundson said, "so we're going to have to be able to counter attack that and continue to serve well."
For Upper Iowa, southpaw Shea Meyermann was able to power pass MSU's blockers for 16 kills while Sara Vance added 11 kills in the previous match. Vance also leads the NSIC in service aces with 0.41 per set.
"They know we had trouble with those hitters," Amundson said. "We're going to have to anticipate that a little better and execute against their serves properly."
But during the meeting with UIU, MSU was able to score 12 service aces compared to Upper Iowa's lone ace.
Freshman outside hitter Alli Rice contributed five of those aces.
"We played really aggressive," said Rice, "but our serving was working well and definitely helped us build on other parts of the game."
Even though service aces helped MSU build momentum, it can't rely on aces to win the match.
"You can definitely lose a match if you have poor serving," Amundson said, "but in order for us to win we're not only going to have to serve the ball well, but we have to be able to block and dig the ball as well.
"But the thing that matters most is hitting efficiency and the team with the highest hitting efficiency tends to win the most matches."
So far the Mavericks are firing at a .218 clip compared to a .156 percentage by its opponents this season.
Pacing MSU's high efficiency has been senior outside hitter Ashley Nachriner (.244). And even if they don't have quite as many attempts as Nachreiner, junior right side Ally Kwikkel and sophomore right side Kimber Kuhl are accurately pounding the ball at .283 and .251, respectively.
Not only will MSU's powerful hitting game play a key role against Upper Iowa, but the Mavericks will also need consistent play when they take on Winona State (7-10, 5-3 NSIC) Saturday at 5 p.m..
The Warriors, currently in sixth place in NSIC standings, have solid middle hitters that can run the slot well and also have a dynamic center in sophomore Mollie Bjelland.
"If we can control their slide at the point of attack then I think we can have a fairly decent chance at competing with them," Amundson said. "But the key will be to focus on how we're playing while we're playing."
More importantly, the Mavericks will get a full week of rest and can spend more time adjusting to their upcoming opponents as they try to defend their unbeaten home record.
Josh Hebrink is a Reporter staff writer
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