The Saint Louis University women’s volleyball team opened their weekend of strenuous competition losing to Charlotte 2-3 (12-15, 9-15, 16-14, 15-5, 10-15), bringing their overall record to 5-6, 0-1 in C-USA matches.

“We did not play well,” Coach Nolen said.

“We were down two games and then started playing well. We won the third and fourth games, but did not pass well in the fifth game and lost.”

The Bills had a slight turnaround the following day at the Georgia tournament.

“Everyone stepped up a bit,” said Nolen. The Billikens swept Furman 15-4, 16-14, 15-10.

The Bills had a close match against Georgia, which won the tournament. “We played really well and played close,” said Nolen.

The Bills lost the first game, won the second and lost the third and fourth games by only three points each.

“Nobody was embarrassed by losing to Georgia,” Nolen said. Nolen said the team enjoyed the challenge of great competition found in the tournament.

Several Billiken starters excelled in the tournament. Junior setter Beth Martin has been released to full participation, after spending time recovering from a shoulder injury last spring.

“(Beth) helped a lot. She gave us a lot of maturity and stability,” said Nolen.

Nolen also cited Ember Knobeloch’s and Missy Werges’ play. Sophomore middle hitter Colleen Hunter was named All-Tournament this weekend in Georgia.

After playing in the middle last year, junior Cristal Leonard moved back onto the right side and into the starting lineup.

The team is gearing up for what Nolen called “one of the toughest weekends we’ve had in conference.”

Friday, the Bills head to Cincinnati (6-5, 0-0 C-USA) to face the defending C-USA champions Bearcats. Last year, the Bills went 0-2 against Cincinnati.

Saturday, the Billikens take on the C-USA favorite Louisville Cardinals.

Last season, the Bills fared well against the Cards, sweeping in St. Louis, but losing a five-set match in Louisville.

In the midst of preparing for the upcoming C-USA matchups, the Billikens and Coach Nolen have been drawing national attention. Tuesday, “Oxygen Sports” of the Oxygen cable network, visited the team.

The program, which focuses on women’s sports, will profile Nolen, feature candids taken by the team on the trip to Southwest Texas, and include player interviews.

The program, expected to air Dec. 10, will highlight Nolen’s ability to juggle NCAA coaching while raising young twins, as well as the rising success of the Billikens.

The Billikens head into the weekend “still dealing with `name power,'” said Nolen, but hope to overcome it.

Nolen sees the team as maturing, stable, and starting to adjust to the new level of competition.