Lakeland College

Muskies Drop Tight Match to UW-Stout, Beat Northland at Home Triangular

Athletics - posted on 9/23/2006

The women's volleyball team (8-4) split a pair of matches on Saturday in a triangular meet with Northland College and UW-Stout.

Despite a five-game battle with UW-Stout in their second match, the Muskies' attack fell flat in the fifth game with an end result of 9-15.

The team had battled back from a loss in game three, 21-30, as a result of mishaps on defense and passing mistakes, to take the fourth game 30-25 on solid plays at the net.

Junior outside hitter Ashley Domask and freshman utility Kaylyn Kasper combined to lead the team with 10 kills, with Kasper coming off the bench in the second game for a better match-up with the Blue Devils.

"Kaylyn hits to her right, so she was able to come in and change things up for us," said head coach Chad Schreiber.

Domask also tied for digs leader with freshman outside hitter Brittanie Paulus with 17, aided by 14 digs from sophomore Whitney Helbach. Sophomore setter Jessica Sparling also chipped in 34 assists, nine digs and two aces.

The loss is a disappointing one for Schreiber, as the Muskies had started off the day on the right foot with a 3-0 victory over Northland College.

"I told the girls afterward that we didn't lose on talent, we lost on focus," he said. "We were un-aggressive and played not to make an error instead of taking UW-Stout out of their system."

In game five of that match, the Muskies fell behind early, 3-8, and couldn't find a way to rally from the deficit.

"Early un-aggressiveness led to early mistakes," said Schreiber. "We dug ourselves too big of a hole."

However, Schreiber was pleased with the effort his team showed in their first match against Northland as the Muskies' intensity yielded a 30-20, 30-10, 30-20 victory.

"I thought the Northland match was the most complete match we've played all year," he said. "We could have cleaned up our skill level a bit at times, but we excelled at first touch ball control and our defensive plays and digs helped our ability to get into a flow on offense."

Junior middle hitter Shelly Bruni and Paulus teamed up to lead the Muskies' offensive drive with nine kills apiece, with sophomore outside hitter Heidi Kramer adding eight. Domask topped the digs column with 12, backed by Helbach and junior defensive specialist Rachel Young with 10 digs each.

"Talent-wise I think we're ok," said Schreiber, whose team will continue its Northern Athletics Conference schedule with Marian on Tuesday, Sept. 26. "I just need to find someone who wants the ball at critical times; someone who isn't afraid to step up and make the play."

The Muskies will go on the road to face the Sabres, who recently lost to Northland College in four games. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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