Volleyball Recap

By Mac Williams
Twitter: @m_williamsm2
Email :Williamsm2@findlay.edu

Each season brings unique challenges, this year, the challenge for the women’s volleyball team may be to stay level headed. Earlier this season, the team was picked as the favorite to win the West Division of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC). Thus far into the season, they have lived up to the hype. Over the Labor Day weekend, The University of Findlay Women’s Volleyball Team picked up four wins as they defeated Michigan Tech, Indianapolis, Saginaw Valley, and Glenville St. at the first tournament of the year in Hillsdale, Mi.
On Friday, Sept. 1, the Lady Oilers picked up two wins as they defeated Saginaw Valley and Glenville St. In the win over Saginaw Valley, the combined efforts of Amanda Winner and Shelby Kin secured eight kills to lead the Oilers, while Kara Scherger lead the defensive efforts with 13 digs for the Oilers. In the second game against Glenville St., the Oilers won by out hitting their opponent .277 – .021. Once again, Winner lea the charge as she compiled a double-double which consisted of 12 kills and 11 digs.
The following day, Saturday, the Oilers again picked up two wins as they defeated Michigan Tech and Indianapolis. The first game of the day against Michigan Tech was a thriller as the lady Oilers won in five sets (25-18, 27-25, 18-25, 24-26, 15-12). With the win, Junior Amanda Winner had a huge match with 20 kills and 15 digs. Meanwhile, Senior Erika Roach recorded a double-double when she posted 11 kills and 11 digs of her own. In the second contest against Indianapolis, the Oilers won in four sets (25-21, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15). Winner paced the lady Oilers with 19 kills, seven digs, and two aces. Kara Scherger again lead the defensive effort as she amassed twenty-eight digs, the fourth-best single-match total in school history.
The Lady Oilers now stand at 4-0 on the season and seem to be living up to the hype surrounding the team. According to Head Coach, Wick Colchagoff, preseason polls do not mean much.
“I think preseason polls reflect what happened last season. It is nice for the athletes to get some appreciation of the hard work they have put in,” said Colchagoff.
According to Colchagoff, the key to the team’s success has been their defense.
“We have worked very hard on improving our defense for this season. “So far the work as paid off and we are much improved both by statistics and the “eye” test,” Colchagoff stated.
The Volleyball team’s first GMAC game was as home-opener against Hillsdale college on Tuesday, Sept. 12th. Moving forward, the Lady Oilers will continue to strive to prove themselves as a top-ranked team.
For a complete schedule visit, http://athletics.findlay.edu/sports/wvball/2017-18/schedule.

Sources: [Interview, Wick Colchagoff, 10 am. 9/6/17] http://athletics.findlay.edu/sports/wvball/index