Redhot Scots

Volleyball 4 and 0 at University of Chicago Tournament

by Ian Van Anden
Asst. Sports Editor

 

The MC volleyball team spiked their way to victory this Tuesday Sept. 20 defeating Eureka College 30-21, 30-12, 30-28. The Fighting Scots looked good after winning their ninth game of the young season. The Scots' win over Eureka was their fifth in as many games, altering the Scots sub .500 record into a beautiful 9-5 mark at this point in the season.

Sophomore Kendra James had a great day on the hardwood continuing her play from the UW-Platteville Tournament. In the match, James had 14 kills, two Es, and 28 TAs. Her performance as of late has helped the Scots rebound after shaky performances at the beginning of the '05 season.

After struggling in the UW-Platteville Tournament, the women on the MC volleyball team looked to redeem themselves in the Univ. of Chicago Tournament on Sept 16-17. On the first day of the tournament, Monmouth took on the Eagles of Benedictine University and the Chicago University Maroons trouncing both teams. Against Benedictine MC put up a score of: 30-24, 30-27, 30-26; and against the University of Chicago the Lady Scots were able to win by the scores of: 30-17, 30-20, 30-24.

The second day was equally as exciting for the members on the MC volleyball team. After finishing the first day with a 2-0 record the Scots looked to continue their weekend winning streak. In their first math on Sunday, Sept 17 the Scots took on Aurora University and defeated them 30-27, 30-25, 30-23. In the game following that the Scots looked to end their weekend with a 4-0 record. In their final game of the weekend the Scots took on Augsburg College and defeated them handily 30-20, 30-23, 30-21.

This tournament was highlighted with some tremendous play by the MC team. James dominated the hardwood as she tallied 40 kills in the four game tournament. This performance earned Jones to All-tournament honors. Sophomore Colleen Wilkin was another second year player who played well in the tournament. Wilkin led the Scots with assists racking up 93 set assists.

Another primetime performer for the Scots was senior Karissa Murray. She perhaps had the best overall tournament for the Scots. She not only led the team in TA's with a total of 87. She also served as a solid player on the defensive side as she dug out 57 potential points.

This weekend, Sept 24-25, the Scot's volleyball team will compete in the MWC Crossover Tournament #1 against St. Norbert, Beloit, and Ripon. In the 2004 season the team played well enough in the MWC Crossover Tournament to snatch a 3-2 record. If the ladies can perform well at the tournament this well and bring home three wins they will be in good shape heading into the last two-thirds of the season.

With just over a third of the season over with the volleyball team will be looking to capitalize of their current momentum. With their winning streak currently sitting at five games the Scots will look to continue their winning ways as they have four matches over the next week. Also four out of the Scots next five opponents are Midwest Conference foes. So this stretch of the season will be telling for the Scots season, if they are able to triumph they should be in good shape as they approach playoff time.