Volleyball rising to the challenge

By: Ian Van Anden
Sports Editor

The volleyball team is off to a 7-2 start this year, which includes finishing third and second in their first two tournaments. Wednesday, Sept. 13, the team took on Augustana College, who they have already defeated once this year in the UW-Platteville Tournament. The second time around, the Scots defeated Augustana in four games by scores of 30-22, 30-19, 28-30 and 31-29.

Tuesday, Sept. 12, the squad traveled to Eureka College for their first head-to-head match of the year. After dropping the first game 30-32, Monmouth swept the next four games. Eureka came out strong in the first game and capitalized on some mistakes by the Scots. The Scots came back with a vengeance in the second match and defeated Eureka 30-22.

The Scots then shut down Eureka for the remaining two games. In the third game, the Scots allowed Eureka only 17 points, while scoring 30. The Scots, if at all possible, played better in the fourth and deciding game. MC allowed only 16 points in that game, defeating Eureka 30-16.

In their second tournament of the year, the volleyball team participated in the UW-Platteville Tournament. On Friday, Sept. 8, the Scots played two matches. First, they defeated Augustana 25-30, 30-21, 30-25 and 30-25. In their second match against Simpson College, MC again came out victorious. Monmouth beat Simpson in four games by scores of 30-23, 32-34, 30-28 and 30-22.

On the second day of the UW-Platteville Tournament, the Scots dropped their first match of the weekend. They faced the host, UW-Platteville, and fell in four games, 26-30, 30-20, 30-24 and 30-19. The Scots then beat Edgewood to claim second place in the tournament. MC beat Edgewood by scores of 28-30, 30-20, 30-12 and 32-30.

The standout for the Scots in the tournament was sophomore Crystal Myers. Myers was the lone Scot to receive all-tournament honors, meaning that she was the best defensive specialist in the tournament. This was the second straight tournament where Myers was a key component in the Scots’ success.

The Scots hosted their opening tournament of the year on Friday, Sept. 2, the Monmouth College Invitational. The Scots went 6-1 in their home tournament and placed third.

After winning their opening match of the season against Hannibal-LaGrange (30-18, 30-19 and 30-24) the Scots then dropped their second game. Principia was the culprit, beating MC 19-30, 30-25, 30-23 and 30-24.

The Scots, however, were able to salvage third place in their home tournament by beating Loras, 30-23, 30-22, 25-30 and 30-23.

Junior setter Colleen Wilkin was named to the all-tournament roster. Wilkin, according to coach Kari Shimmin, played well. Wilkin’s accomplishments were recognized, as she was the only MC athlete on the all-tournament team roster.

Shimmin also praised the play of Myers. Shimmin said that Myers’ play on the back line was key to the Scots’ success on Saturday.

According to Shimmin, the team had set a goal to go undefeated on their home court, but now she is sure that the women will try to defend their home court for the rest of the year. The Scots have five remaining home matches. All matches except one are against conference foes. The only non-conference game will come against Lincoln Christian College on Oct. 12.

The Scots have a very young roster this year with only one senior, Kari Jefferson. There are five juniors, including Wilkin, Kendra James, Megan Boesche, Jessica Travis and Ashley Yeast. The rest of the roster is made-up of seven sophomores and three freshmen.

Shimmin is excited about the potential of this year’s team. After posting a 22-13 record last year, the Scots advanced all the way to the conference finals against St. Norbert. However, the Scots’ year was cut short there as they fell to St. Norbert in five games.

The Scots only lost one player from their conference runner-up team from last year. They are hopeful they can make it back to the title game and claim the Midwest Conference Championship.

The Scots’ next appearance will come at the Wheaton College Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 16.