Spring Break
Texas A&M volleyball team looks for second straight win
By: Courtney Nelson
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Sports
The No. 23 Texas A&M volleyball team (14-6,7-5 in Big 12) got back on track last weekend by defeating the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday in Lawrence after losing their previous two games to Oklahoma and Texas.
"I wouldn't say we were down after the OU and Texas games, but we did hit a slump," said freshman libero Tori Mellinger. "Against Kansas, we really clicked as a team and played our hearts out, which was a big step for us."
After dropping the first set against the Jayhawks, the Aggies came back to win the next three, ending the match on a positive note they can carry to the next game.
"Our losses have changed our attitudes a lot," said freshman middle Alisia Kastmo. "We do not have the option of losing anymore. Every game at this point is a must win."
On Wednesday, the Aggies will play the Kansas State Wildcats (8-14, 2-10 in Big 12), who they defeated when the teams played in College Station earlier in the season.
"The scores did not really reflect the strength they [Kansas State] have," said Head Coach Laurie Corbelli. "They did not play well at our gym, and they have the ability to play much better on a regular basis. Their style of play is predictable, leaving no surprises. They run a very efficient system. I am expecting a really tough match at their place."
In their first meeting, senior outside hitter Jennifer Banse led both teams with 12 kills, while senior outside hitter Sarah Ammerman added 11.
Corbelli said she knows how much the team depends on Ammerman to produce and how big of a threat she is to opponents.
"She had a slow start, but once she made a couple of adjustments, she just got her rhythm back," Corbelli said. "It just took her a little while. Our opponents are always keying on her, scouting her to the max."
In the match against Kansas State earlier in the season, the middles for A&M [Kastmo and Miller] were also effective, as they combined for 15 kills and hit .636.
The Aggies have been working on blocking at every practice and have seen much improvement since the beginning of the season.
"Our blocking has definitely gotten so much better," Kastmo said. "It is something that we have focused on so much lately, and we have really worked hard to raise our average and make our presence at the net known."
For the Wildcats, senior middle blocker Kelsey Chipman contributed nine kills and hit .562 for the night.
When talking about the keys to victory, Mellinger said a few simple things can help them have success for the next game, and for the rest of the season.
"We cannot get complacent," Mellinger said. "We have to focus on our side of the court and do what we have been doing in practice. Our defense and overall teamwork needs to stay solid."
A&M leads the nation in assists and kills per set, averaging 14.16 assists and 14.96 kills per set. They are also second in the conference with a hitting percentage of .261.
"I wouldn't say we were down after the OU and Texas games, but we did hit a slump," said freshman libero Tori Mellinger. "Against Kansas, we really clicked as a team and played our hearts out, which was a big step for us."
After dropping the first set against the Jayhawks, the Aggies came back to win the next three, ending the match on a positive note they can carry to the next game.
"Our losses have changed our attitudes a lot," said freshman middle Alisia Kastmo. "We do not have the option of losing anymore. Every game at this point is a must win."
On Wednesday, the Aggies will play the Kansas State Wildcats (8-14, 2-10 in Big 12), who they defeated when the teams played in College Station earlier in the season.
"The scores did not really reflect the strength they [Kansas State] have," said Head Coach Laurie Corbelli. "They did not play well at our gym, and they have the ability to play much better on a regular basis. Their style of play is predictable, leaving no surprises. They run a very efficient system. I am expecting a really tough match at their place."
In their first meeting, senior outside hitter Jennifer Banse led both teams with 12 kills, while senior outside hitter Sarah Ammerman added 11.
Corbelli said she knows how much the team depends on Ammerman to produce and how big of a threat she is to opponents.
"She had a slow start, but once she made a couple of adjustments, she just got her rhythm back," Corbelli said. "It just took her a little while. Our opponents are always keying on her, scouting her to the max."
In the match against Kansas State earlier in the season, the middles for A&M [Kastmo and Miller] were also effective, as they combined for 15 kills and hit .636.
The Aggies have been working on blocking at every practice and have seen much improvement since the beginning of the season.
"Our blocking has definitely gotten so much better," Kastmo said. "It is something that we have focused on so much lately, and we have really worked hard to raise our average and make our presence at the net known."
For the Wildcats, senior middle blocker Kelsey Chipman contributed nine kills and hit .562 for the night.
When talking about the keys to victory, Mellinger said a few simple things can help them have success for the next game, and for the rest of the season.
"We cannot get complacent," Mellinger said. "We have to focus on our side of the court and do what we have been doing in practice. Our defense and overall teamwork needs to stay solid."
A&M leads the nation in assists and kills per set, averaging 14.16 assists and 14.96 kills per set. They are also second in the conference with a hitting percentage of .261.
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