Spartan Squad Beginning to Gel
Germantown, OH (September 9, 2004) What changes have been made in the Spartan volleyball program?
That's a question that may seem to be easily answered, but you must first look past all the new rules such as rally scoring, the libero and net serves.
Let's look at the improvement shown in the team as a whole. Their record alone should explain most of it, 3-2 (the Spartans won Thursday upped their record to 4-2).
We must also look at where the team stands in relationship to where the meat of the season stands. Next week is an enourmous week for the Lady Spartans as they approach some of the stronger teams on their schedule in the likes of Eaton and Oakwood. That's not counting the caliber of teams in the MUM tournament this Saturday.
So where do they stand up until now. They fell in the season opener in Miamisburg in what can only be called a game of inconsistency. Then they roared back when they hosted a quad tournament with Ross, Madison and Northridge.
The Spartans opened the day against the Madison Mohawks. The ladies pulled out strong in the first game, but couldn't manage to keep that momentum going during the following two matches (they only played three games due to the time constraints).
Coach Jill Dickson was disappointed with the loss, as was the team, however what really mattered is what they showed her during the game.
"It's the best we have ever played. It is nice to see that so early in the season," Dickson commented.
After the Madison loss, a new team popped out and stayed out, one in which many fans haven't seen in a long time.
"They played well after the loss with Madison," Dickson said.
The Lady Spartans' evened their record through their next two games with Northridge and Ross.
This past Tuesday, the team showed signs once again of just exactly what they can do. It took a game for them to get into the groove, but they still won. In the second game, they Spartans jumped ahead right away and kept the lead for the win.
Inconsistancy in the in the third game allowed Carlisle to creep back in to force game number 4 .
The Spartans came back in the fourth game to finished things off, something you would only see their opponents doing last year. There is still some consistency issues on the court, but it is slowly dissipating from existence."We are up and down a lot so we need to build on that consistency, but this is the best passing team I have ever had so I am seeing a lot of good things," Dickson said.
"I think we have the ability to pull out some upsets, but the main thing is that we have got to be consistent," Dickson added.
Upsets?
It is definitely possible. Anyone who has seen the passes and combinations the Spartans have put together as of late, could tell you that.
Vanessa Denlinger has been slamming hits to the ten-foot line, jump sets Krista Smith has been pushing up for kills, the digs new libero Chelsea Holcomb makes, the aggression Kea Donson puts to the ball at middle, and the overall capabilities Stephanie Powers brings to the court. The list is endless, as each person on the team has their distinct specialties. For now the biggest challenge for the Spartans is pulling all the positive things together and keeping them consistent.
"I can honestly say as a team that everyone has contributed something positive so far this year," Dickson added.
So is it possible?
The play of the past week has shown that it's possible. Now only time will tell, as they begin their run at the SWBL title, whether that possibility becomes a reality.
