(I think the picture says it all! Last point of our win vs. Coe.)Hello-
What a weekend!! It started on Friday night as we hosted Northwestern and Coe in a tri-match... For three years we've played them tough, sometimes getting swept in close sets, sometimes taking a set, and even forcing them to 5 sets two years ago... but haven't beat them since 2004. We started out playing well and before we knew it we won the first two sets 25-22! Up 2-0 I was very interested to see how we'd play... and we responded well! After falling behind 2-1, we pulled ahead by 3 and never relinquished the lead, finishing them off in a nail-biter, 25-23 on a kill by Stephanie Schmiesing and sweeping them! (Pics here...)
While we enjoyed the win, Northwestern defeated Coe in 3... We weren't quite so lucky. We dropped the opening set, 23-25, then beat Coe handily in sets 2 and 3. In the 4th set, we were behind the whole way and after pulling close at 18-19, we lost 19-25. Then the 5th set... after falling behind, 1-5, we almost caught back up. But couldn't quite--- at 11-13, I was getting a little worried!! But two kills by senior Megan Theis and we were tied at 13! Natalie Thomas, serving her 2nd ball, hit the top of the net, where the ball hung there for a second... before falling on their side for an ace (love that new 'let' serve rule!)! Then, up 14-13, Thomas rocketed another serve, that their passer shanked under the net and the Cougars stormed the floor for a come from behind win!
Wow-- exhausting! Then, on Saturday, Crown came to town, after defeating Presentation the night before and winning their first UMAC match in 3+ years... and they played well again! We squeeked out a first set win, 25-23, the 2nd set was a little better, and the 3rd set we cruised to our sweep...
So, we are sitting at 16-11 overall, and 8-3 in UMAC play. One more win or one loss by Bethany Lutheran and we are guaranteed a spot in the UMAC tourney. IF the current seedings hold, we would be the 3 seed and travel to Northwestern to play next Wednesday, November 3.
More to follow later this week-- Go Cougars!
Coach B
