Monmouth College’s volleyball squad finished their season with a 20-12 record overall, and a 6-3 Midwest Conference mark. Going into the season, the team’s goal was to improve on their 2006 record and go further in the Midwest Conference (MWC) Tournament.

Both goals were accomplished, as the squad improved their record, which was 17-16 last year, and made it to the championship game in the tournament, whereas they lost in the first round last year.

The squad has been on a rampage of late and they finished their season winning six of their final seven matches; two of these wins came in the Midwest Conference Tournament.

The tournament was hosted by Carroll College and Monmouth got off to a strong start in the quarterfinals on Nov. 2.

As the three seed, the Scots faced Lake Forest College in the first round, and they won in three games, 30-20, 30-22 and 30-27.

Leading the team in kills with seven apiece were juniors Tanesha Hughes and Samantha Robinson, while seniors Kendra James and Jessica Travis each recorded six. Juniors Crystal Myers and Amanda Boonstra led Monmouth in digs in the match.

Monmouth did not have a long time to celebrate their win over Lake Forest, as they were set to face the two-seeded St. Norbert College later that same day. St. Norbert had defeated Monmouth earlier in the season in four games, so the Scots new they would have to play their best volleyball in order to prevail.

The first game of the match went into overtime, and St. Norbert squeaked out a victory, 34-32. Monmouth bounced back and won the next two games by scores of 30-24 and 30-23 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. After St. Norbert won the fourth game 30-19, one final game up to 15 would decide the match.

Behind a solid team effort, the Scots edged St. Norbert and won 15-12, in turn winning the match in five games.

Hughes and Ashley Yeast again paced Monmouth, recording 17 kills each. James had 14 kills on an impressive hitting percentage of .382.                  Myers and Wilkin again led the squad in scoops, as the former recorded 37 and the latter had 36 digs. Senior Colleen Wilkin also had a steady performance, recording 15 digs and 35 set assists.

The win was considered a big upset in the MWC, and gave the Scots the chance to play top-seeded Carroll College in the championship match on Nov. 3.

Monmouth jumped out to a great start against Carroll, as they dominated the first game, winning 30-20. Carroll barely beat the Scots in the next two games, winning each game by the slimmest possible margin, 30-28. Carroll also beat Monmouth in the fourth game, 30-19, shattering the Scots’ hopes of facing the No. six team in the country, Carthage College, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

James and Robinson again led the team in kills in the Carroll match, while Myers, Travis and Boonstra led with way in digs. Boonstra also served up three aces in the match.

Despite the loss to Carroll, the Scots were positive about the 2007 season, and the success they achieved.

“I think we ended up doing really well,” James said. “It was the first time we beat St. Norbert in the four years that I’ve been here and it was a tough game, but we actually made it to the championship round. When the game was over, it was kind of a bitter sweet feeling.”

James performed at a high level all season for Monmouth, and the Scots will have a hard time replacing her next year. In addition to James, the Monmouth will lose three other contributing seniors, as Wilkin, Travis and Yeast will also be graduating.

“I think it will be interesting because we had four seniors on our team and they all had really big roles, they were all starters, so we have some really big shoes to fill,” Boonstra said. “There will be six seniors next year, but behind them there’s only three other girls, so we’re gonna be young again and hopefully coach will do some good recruiting. I look forward to seeing what next year will be like.”

James will definitely be missed on the court, but she will leave Monmouth with fond volleyball memories.

“It was a great four years. We actually had four good seasons, and my teammates were all good friends on the court and off the court,” James said.

Return to Home -- Return to Sports