The women’s volleyball team posted their first Conference USA win this season Saturday at Louisville. After losing in four sets to Cincinnati Friday night, the Bills bounced back to win 3-2 over Louisville.
The Billikens fell 12-15, 13-15, 15-10, 12-15 to the C-USA giant Cincinnati Bearcats.
“We made mistakes,” said coach Marilyn Nolen. “But the team is improving every time we play.”
The Bills bounced back the next day with a huge upset over the Cardinals. The Bills won 5-15, 15-7, 12-15, 15-6, 15-13.
“It was an exciting match and an exciting win,” said Nolen. “We’re maturing and gaining confidence daily.”
Several of the Billiken starters and reserves were on fire against Louisville. Sophomore middle hitter Colleen Hunter posted a career high 30 kills against Louisville. Hunter became the first Billiken to break 30 kills in almost three years.
Senior outside hitter Jessica Moss posted back to back double-doubles with 14 kills and 10 digs in Cincinnati and 12 kills and 14 digs against Louisville. The weekend marked Moss’ eighth and ninth double-doubles of the season.
The Billiken defense was led by sophomore outside hitter Brooke Minniear. Minniear posted 17 digs, as well as five kills and two blocks against Cincinnati. Against Louisville, Minniear had six digs, one kill, and one assist.
After spending some time recovering from a shoulder injury, junior setter Beth Martin dominated the Billiken assists with 66 against the Cardinals.
Coach Nolen cites sophomore outside hitter Missy Werges as an outstanding contributor to the Bills this weekend.
The Billikens are geared up heading into yet another weekend of intense C-USA competition.
“Everyone’s really positive,” Nolen said. “We’re going to get better. We’re going to put our nose to the grindstone and work hard.”
It is through hard work and incredible team effort that the Bills are learning to overcome the “name factor”, as Nolen calls it. By learning to step up their level of play and upsetting big name teams such as Louisville, the Bills are “setting a trail for next year,” said Nolen.
This weekend, the Billikens are returning home after three weekends on the road to face two of the most difficult teams in C-USA.
Awaiting the Billikens are South Florida (9-4, 2-1 C-USA) and Houston (9-3, 3-0 C-USA), the top two teams in the National Division of C-USA.
“We’ve got an exciting weekend coming up,” said Nolen.
“South Florida is very defensive, they’re all over the floor. Houston is very offensive.”
The Bills overall record is 6-7 and 1-2 in conference.
