Volleyball club falls to Mizzou
April Owens
Issue date: 10/2/03 Section: Sports
A month of practice was not enough to prevent the men's volleyball club team from losing to the University of Missouri-Columbia on Saturday.
Both the A and B teams proved unsuccessful in their first matches of the season. The A team lost 2-3, while the B team lost 0-3.
Junior middle hitter Brandon Bennett, the club's president, said the loss was the result of a lack of intensity.
"We made mental errors, which translated into serving mistakes and passing failures," Bennett said. "That's what hurt us."
Bennett said Saturday's game was a good chance to see how well the team can play together outside of practice. Although it was an official game, it still had a preseason feel.
Bennett said his goals for the season are for the team to play to its full potential. Bennett said the match Saturday was unsuccessful because he doesn't feel everyone played their best.
"I know we can win every game if we can get in that mindset," Bennett said.
Senior strongside hitter Morgan Silvey said Mizzou has been a difficult team to beat in the past, but a victory over them seemed more attainable this time.
"I didn't think they would be as formidable as they were," Silvey said. "I recognized a few of their players when we walked onto the court, and I knew it would be more difficult than anticipated."
Silvey said they would probably need some time to rebuild their team because several starting players graduated last spring.
Junior middle hitter Paul Slater said the size of their club has increased significantly this year.
"It's good to get some games together, especially for the second team," Slater said. "We tend to have more new guys."
Silvey said the six new additions have helped create a stronger-knit team. He said he has noticed a better work ethic in practices.
The team ended last season in a tie for fifth place at nationals out of 36 teams in NCAA Division III. Several of their starting players were unable to attend, however, because of injuries.
"I don't think it was a fair representation of how we played as a team," Silvey said.
The team plays Oct. 18 in a tournament at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where it will have the opportunity to play several Division I schools from the area.
Practices are from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday in the Student Recreation Center. Those wishing to try out are welcome to attend.
The team hopes to attend nationals in Raleigh, N.C., in early April.
Both the A and B teams proved unsuccessful in their first matches of the season. The A team lost 2-3, while the B team lost 0-3.
Junior middle hitter Brandon Bennett, the club's president, said the loss was the result of a lack of intensity.
"We made mental errors, which translated into serving mistakes and passing failures," Bennett said. "That's what hurt us."
Bennett said Saturday's game was a good chance to see how well the team can play together outside of practice. Although it was an official game, it still had a preseason feel.
Bennett said his goals for the season are for the team to play to its full potential. Bennett said the match Saturday was unsuccessful because he doesn't feel everyone played their best.
"I know we can win every game if we can get in that mindset," Bennett said.
Senior strongside hitter Morgan Silvey said Mizzou has been a difficult team to beat in the past, but a victory over them seemed more attainable this time.
"I didn't think they would be as formidable as they were," Silvey said. "I recognized a few of their players when we walked onto the court, and I knew it would be more difficult than anticipated."
Silvey said they would probably need some time to rebuild their team because several starting players graduated last spring.
Junior middle hitter Paul Slater said the size of their club has increased significantly this year.
"It's good to get some games together, especially for the second team," Slater said. "We tend to have more new guys."
Silvey said the six new additions have helped create a stronger-knit team. He said he has noticed a better work ethic in practices.
The team ended last season in a tie for fifth place at nationals out of 36 teams in NCAA Division III. Several of their starting players were unable to attend, however, because of injuries.
"I don't think it was a fair representation of how we played as a team," Silvey said.
The team plays Oct. 18 in a tournament at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where it will have the opportunity to play several Division I schools from the area.
Practices are from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday in the Student Recreation Center. Those wishing to try out are welcome to attend.
The team hopes to attend nationals in Raleigh, N.C., in early April.