The Saint Louis University women’s volleyball team faced yet another strong opponent Tuesday afternoon when the Billikens took on Purdue’s Boilermakers.
The Billikens lost the match, bringing their record to 4-4.
The Bills had a strong showing in the first game, played tentatively in the second, but picked up in the third game, according to head coach Marilyn Nolen.
The Billikens were leading Purdue 12-8 and had game point when Purdue rallied to take the game 16-14.
“We slowed down, and Purdue started playing better and better,” Nolen said.
The Boilermakers continued to pressure the Bills and won the second game 15-2.
In the third game of the match, the Billikens battled back and played much stronger, despite losing 15-12.
Sophomore middle hitter Colleen Hunter led the team in kills. “Colleen is doing a lot as a sophomore this year,” Nolen said. Against Purdue, Hunter had four service aces and 15 kills, bringing her season totals to 10 aces and 134 kills.
Other key contributors to the Bills offense were sophomore middle hitter Ember Knobeloch and senior outside hitter Jessica Moss.
In the back row, junior defensive specialist Dani Apted played quite well, Nolen said.
Freshman outside hitter Alyson Merchant, who had a strong showing against Purdue, came off the bench.
With strong matches such as Arizona State and Southwest Texas State already under their belts, the Bills are facing a critical first C-USA match with Charlotte, who will be “ready to go,” Nolen says.
The Billikens should be ready to for the challenges of Charlotte. “We’ve been blessed with strength in setting,” Nolen said. Sophomore
Beth Middendorf and freshman Shannan Swiney have been sharing the setting duties.
Strength in setting will also be an asset to the Bills in the upcoming Georgia Tournament this weekend. Coach Nolen looks for the three setters to be key players in the tournament, as well as the middle hitters, particularly Hunter, and outside hitter Moss.
This will be the Billikens’ first appearance in the tournament, and they hope to sweep the weekend 3-0 and have an especially competitive match with Georgia. With all areas of the court strong, the Bills now must overcome psychological obstacles.
“This team can play like a house afire,” Nolen said. “We just have to get past the tradition of the conferences we’re playing and work with our belief system.” The team hasn’t had any bad losses yet, but it hasn’t achieved the records of previous years because the Billikens have stepped up the competitiveness of their schedule greatly.
