Volleyball’s eyes on prize

By: Ian Van Anden
Sports Editor

The Monmouth College volleyball team is off to yet another solid season in 2006. On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Scots traveled to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, to compete against conference foe Cornell College.

The Scots did not fair well against their Midwest Conference opponent. Cornell defeated the Scots in just three games. Cornell won the first game easily, 30-20, however the Scots showed signs of life in the second game despite losing 31-29. MC still did not have enough gas in the tank to push the match into a fourth game, falling in the third game 30-19.

A bright spot for the volleyball team has been junior middle hitter Kendra James. James was named a Midwest Performer of the Week on Wednesday, Sept. 20. She recorded 65 kills and a .539 hitting percentage in four matches last week.

Her play has help lift the Scots to a 9-4 record on the season. James has played, for the most part, mistake free volleyball. In 102 attempts, she has 65 kills and just 10 errors. Of James’ kills, 22 came in Wednesday’s loss to Cornell, it took her only 29 attempts to reach 22 kills.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Scots traveled to Wheaton, Ill., to participate in the Wheaton College Tournament.

The Scots got off to a hot start winning their first two matches. MC’s first game came against Tri-State. After winning the first two games 30-22 and 33-31, the Scots finally dropped one to Tri-State 28-30. Then in the fourth game, the Scots came roaring back, defeating Tri-State 30-26 to clinch the match.

In their second match of the tournament, the Scots faced rival Knox College. The Scots dominated Knox throughout the match. Monmouth beat the Prairie Fire 30-11 in the first match and then clobbered the Fire 30-5 in the second match. Five points is the lowest point total allowed by the Scots in recent history.

The Scots again struggled at the end of a tournament. For their third straight tournament, the Scots failed to place first. This time the Scots fell to host Wheaton College in five games. The Scots fell by scores of 28-30, 30-22, 33-31 and 15-8.

The volleyball junior varsity squad has not fared well this season. The Scots JV team has just one win in their five matches. Sophomore Tanesha Hughes does not understand why the squad is struggling thus far this season.

The JV squad will give it another go on Wednesday, Sept. 27, when they face Black Hawk East Community College in the Glennie Gym inside the Huff Athletic Facility at 7 p.m.
This Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24, the Scots will have their first Midwest Conference Playdate of the year. The Scots will travel to Grinnell play their matches this weekend. On Friday, Sept. 29, the Scots will again be in Grinnell for a night game against the Pioneers.