Following a two-week break from action, the women’s volleyball team extended its winning streak to six games last week, which improved its overall record to 9-11 and conference record to 6-1.
“Getting back into a game was very exciting,” said senior Isabella Vavrek. “I don’t think anyone was nervous because we were all just very excited about playing a game after having two weeks off.”
The Pioneers won two matches against fellow Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) schools Ohio Christian and Midway with scores of 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.
Outside hitter Shiloh Simonson attributes their winning streak to the team’s continual development of chemistry and trust.
“We know how each other plays,” Simonson said. “And the strengths and weaknesses of the girl next to you, and we figured out how to play everyone’s strengths at once.”
After losing the first set against Ohio Christian, the Pioneers coach, Mike Bruno called the team together for a talk. The team ended up winning the match with scores of 17-25, 25-11, 25-13 and 25-14.
“[Bruno] pretty much said to get back in the game and stop playing like they aren’t going to fight back,” said senior Emily Meng. “It definitely fired all of us up.”
Junior middle hitter Megan Branchick had 15 kills against Ohio Christian, giving her the match-high. Simonson added nine kills with help from the 29 assists and 14 digs Meng totaled. Senior Paige Baker had 21 digs, leading the Pioneers’ defense.
“We were really excited to go into the games and kind of got a little cocky,” Meng said. “But then we came back down to our level and played our game.”
In the game versus Midway, Pioneers senior Cristiane Chaves had a total of eight kills — a game high. Branchick assisted Chaves as she brought in seven kills. The team produced 10 aces and 11 blocks, with four aces from Simonson and three from Vavrek. The Pioneers won the match with scores of 25-15, 25-19 and 25-14.
The Pioneers are excited about their streak and feel that conditioning at practices helped with their speed and endurance. Vavrek said the team just needed a little time to click, and now their newly formed trust is what is gaining them wins.
“We’re proud of this winning streak and our goal is to take one game at a time and do the best we can each night we have a match,” Simonson said.
Point Park plays St. Thomas on Oct. 7, during a trip to Florida for the Keiser University Challenge, where the team also plays Trinity College, Keiser, and Florida College, on Oct. 10.
“I’m very hopeful for the rest of the season to turn out well,” Vavrek said. “I can’t predict anything, but as long as we continue to play our game consistently and perform to the level we are capable of, I believe we can win our conference again this year and head to nationals.”
