VOLLEYBALL
The defending national champions in Marian University (5-0, 5-0) had their hands full Saturday night at Platt Arena against the HU volleyball team. While it was a three-set match, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21, the Foresters stayed within striking distance all night as no more than five points ever separated the two teams.
Playing without several starters, other members of Herber’s crew stepped up to fill key roles which included a breakout performance by freshman Abby Robinson. The rookie outside hitter kept the visitors guessing by mixing it up at the net to erupt for a match-high and career-best 17 kills. She played all the way around to also collect six digs.
Nicole Flickinger also came up huge for the Foresters by scrapping for 16 digs as tonight’s libero.
“Abby had several crucial kills for us when the game was tight,” Herber noted. “And Nicole did a great job of stepping into the libero spot with Ariene being out due to injury.”
Tya Bynum tallied nine kills on 18 swings while Brandy Michie and Lindsay Ingenito posted six and five kills respectively. Jennings Tacosik did a little bit of everything for her team to finish with 38 assists, eight digs and four kills.
The bottom line favored the Foresters in kills, 45-44, but ultimately attacking errors proved the thorn in HU’s side. The hosts tallied 20 blunders to Marian’s ten.
“We made several unforced errors towards the end of each set,” said Herber. “We have introduced mental training into our practice plans and will continue to do so that way we can execute at the highest level when the game is on the line.”
Overall, though, Herber was extremely pleased with her team’s performance tonight. “Senior Jo Rammel gave an excellent pre-match devotional tonight focusing on unity in the midst of adversity, and it became prophetic of our evening.
“This team’s level of togetherness, intensity and composure led to them competing well against the #1 team in the nation.”
The Foresters (0-7, 0-7) road trip to Bethel on Wednesday to take on the Pilots at 7:00 p.m.
