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Tough Week as Volleyball Drops 2
Posted: Sep 22, 2023

Tough Week as Volleyball Drops 2

The challenge of conference play hit the Roadrunners full force this week.

On Tuesday, the SMC Volleyball Team fell to Lansing 22-25, 14-25, and 17-25 in the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse.  "We knew Lansing was going to run a fast offense and really challenge us tonight," Coach Jenny Nate said. "Since Josie West went out last week with an ankle injury, we have worked hard at practice to fill her spot defensively and offensively and find cohesion in the lineup for each rotation.  That is a work in progress, and I told the team after the match - we win or we learn. Tonight we learned.  We learned areas we need to improve in and can also reflect on the things that worked and what we are doing well. We will be focusing in on defense and serve received and continued goals to get our hitters all attacking using multiple shots and placement.  We have depth on this team, and I know we will dig in, get back to work, bounce back, and be prepared to take on Kellogg Thursday."  

 
Leading serving scorers vs. Lansing: Nikki Nate 7 points, 2 aces; Shayla Shears 5 points; Sophia Deeds 4 points; Anna Johnson 4 points; Emma Beckman 3 points
 
 
 
 
Assists: Anna Johnson 13, Emma Beckman 11
 
Then on Thursday, the Roadrunners travelled to Kellogg and fell to the Bruins in a close five-set match 25-19, 17-25, 23-25, 25-18, and 12-15. "This was a tough match tonight, and despite the loss, our defense and serve receive was much better tonight than Tuesday, so we made some improvements there which was a positive," Nate said. "Our hustle was great, and we fought hard for each point and stayed positive and focused in every set. We are still working to get to a point where we can put the ball away in every single rotation. It's a delicate balance between playing smart and clean but at the same time swinging away and playing to win aggressively on every attack when the game is on the line. That's what will be our focus at our next practices as we prepare for KVCC."  

Leading serving scorers vs. Kellogg: Shayla Shears 13 points, 1 ace; Nikki Nate 12 points, 3 aces; Sophia Deeds 10 points, 2 aces; Anna Johnson 10 points, 1 ace; Bianca Hobson 6 points, 2 aces; Emma Beckman 4 points, 1 ace 

Kills: Nikki Nate 16, Emma Beckman 11, Sophia Deeds 5, Shayla Shears 5, Bianca Hobson 4, Juliette Schroeder 3

Blocks: Bianca Hobson 6, Shayla Shears 3, Nikki Nate 2, Juliette Schroeder 2, Sophia Deeds 2, Emma Beckman 2

Digs: Nikki Nate 14, Anna Johnson 14, Emma Beckman 11, Taylor Miller 9, Elizabeth Stockdale 8, Amanda Jones 6, Bianca Hobson 4, Juliette Schroeder 4, Shayla Shears 3

Assists: Anna Johnson 23, Emma Beckman 13

 

The Roadrunners are now 11-5 and 2-2 in the conference. They next face Kalamazoo Valley at the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse on September 26 at 6:30.