The Cabrini women’s volleyball team won against Baptist Bible College 3-1 on Saturday Sept. 25 at the Nerney Field House. This marked the Lady Cavs second Colonial States Athletic Conference game and the 15th straight CSAC win.
“After winning the CSAC championship last year and being the defending champs, we knew we had to come into this season strong,” Courtney Abel, junior libero, said. “We have a lot of new incoming freshmen and we just have to really work as a team and ultimately work even harder than last year.”
Abel, who recorded a team best 26 digs in Saturday’s victory, is confident in her team to go all the way again this season but feels there is always room for improvement.
“We have to work on our communication skills and making sure everyone’s head is always up and never let up no matter what.”
The Cavs started off the match strong, going 2-0 with a 25-21 win in the first game and 25-17 victory in the second. Baptist Bible answered back in the third game in an exciting 25-22 victory that the Cavs almost came back and won.
“After losing the third game I just told the girls to relax, take a deep breath and play their game,” said head coach Eric Schaefer, who grabbed his 75th career win after Saturday’s match. “The third game was flat but their final game was a lot better. They just have to go out there and play their best volleyball.”
The Cavaliers clinched the win in the fourth game with a 25-15 victory.
Although the team only returned five players from last season, the younger players have really made a difference. Freshman Alaina Clark paired 38 assists with 11 digs while sophomore outside hitter Megan Ryan matched a season high with 13 kills on 27 attempts. Freshman middle hitter Michele Fitz also had a career-best with nine kills.
“At some points in the game, it’s all freshmen with only one junior out there,” Alexis Doss, junior outside hitter, said. “We are a young team but we’re all working together and that’s a big part of our success so far this season.”
The Lady Cavs, who are now 10-4 overall and 2-0 in the conference, feel with the team they have now they can win the CSAC title again and make it farther into the NCAA tournament.
“I think we have the potential to be stronger and better than last year,” Stephanie Recklau, senior middle hitter, said. “We just have to concentrate on working as a team so we can go undefeated again this season. We don’t want to take any steps backwards.”
