Volleyball seeks revenge

Nov 5 2009 - 12:13am | Eric Harper

Lamar and Sam Houston State handed the Bobcat volleyball team its first conference losses a month ago. The Bobcats will look to avenge those losses when they host Lamar Thursday and Sam Houston State Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.

Mo Middleton, junior outside hitter, said the Bobcats remember the previous losses and trash talking from both Lamar and SHSU.

“We are more pumped than ever,” Middleton said. “We have lots of reasons to have a fire lit under us and we’re ready to come out and let it all go at home.”

The Bobcats are coming off a 3-0 sweep of Texas-Arlington on the road Tuesday. The Bobcats won the first and third sets by a wide margin but found themselves in a grind for set two. UTA served for set point at 24-23. However, the Bobcats were able to win the point and tie the set. The teams traded points, bringing the set to a tie at 39. Texas State took the next two points to win 41-39.

The Bobcats ran out of substitute players late in the set, forcing Coach Karen Chisum to use some of her players out of position. Ally Buitron, junior libero, and Caleigh McCorquodale, freshman setter, were forced into front line action.

Chisum said Tuesday’s win was an illustration of the Bobcats’ determination.

“I think we saw the true character of this team,” Chisum said. “The girls were extremely proud of themselves for battling.”

The victory extended the Bobcats’ win streak to six and provided a chance for the Bobcats to end this weekend at first place in the Southland Conference West Division. Two Bobcat wins over the Cardinals and the Bearkats, paired with Bearkat losses to Central Arkansas, put Texas State in a tie with Sam Houston State.

“This is what makes it exciting,” Chisum said. “Every time you step up to hit, it means something.”

The Bobcats played what Chisum considers their worst match of the season Oct. 3 against Lamar in a 3-0 loss. Chisum said the Bobcats will have to deal with a balanced attack from Lamar that is similar to their own in order to have more success.

“It’s kind of a grudge match for us,” Chisum said. “Lamar has a great setter and multiple hitters to contend with.”

Middleton is coming off of a career-high 18 kills against UTA. Middleton said the intensity of the late season push has motivated her.

“Knowing we have to win the rest of our games to have a chance at (the conference title) got me really excited,” Middleton said. “I have never been in a situation before with a chance to win conference and it really got my adrenaline pumping.”

Middleton said the Bobcats have developed a strong on-court chemistry during their current win streak. She said team confidence and coaching adjustments have been crucial to the Bobcats’ success.

“We were already a really close-knit team off the court, and the success has brought us together as a team on the court,” Middleton said. “The coaches have also gone through several theories this season and have been able to adapt to what fits us.”

Chisum said the Bobcats are the most settled and consistent at exactly the right time.

“We have reduced a lot of our errors. We have finally found a set lineup and the team chemistry is great,” Chisum said. “We are patient as coaches and the ladies have worked hard. We are playing our best volleyball at the finish, which is exactly what we wanted.”

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