Bulldogs take two matches
John Scognamiglio
Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: Sports
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After dropping three conference matches last week, the Bulldogs regained steam heading into the final weekend of MIAA regular season play, defeating Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University to improve to 22-4 overall and 10-3 in the MIAA.
Before Friday night's matchup, the squad had won only two games in its previous three matches. Last weekend the squad avoided defeat as the team won both matches 3-0. In the Oct. 15 match against Washburn University, the squad had only one service ace against 14 service errors. On Friday and Saturday, the team hit 18 total service aces with 15 total service errors.
Head coach Jason Skoch said the team improved since its loss to Washburn University.
"There were multiple people trying to step up to take charge and show leadership on the floor," he said. "There was a lot more energy. I did less coaching this weekend than I have done all year."
The 'Dogs traveled to St. Joseph on Friday to play the Lady Griffons. The Bulldogs switched offenses for the match, turning to a 5-1 offense, where they had only one setter - junior Christine Wagener - instead of the usual two. Senior middle hitter Micaela Walter also returned to the lineup and played well, hitting .667 for the match with 11 kills.
The retooled offense performed better than the previous matches as the 'Dogs won with scores of 30-24, 20-27 and 30-21. Junior outside hitter Sarah Shearman led the squad with 12 kills, and junior setter Christine Wagener chipped in with 38 of the team's 46 assists.
Wagener said the change to the new offense worked to the 'Dogs' strength.