Volleball team young but talented

Millersville’s Women’s volleyball team notched their first victories of the season this past weekend as they played host to the Dutch Country Spiketacular on Saturday.

As part of a four team round robin, the Marauders downed Bowie State University and Wilmington University, but lost to the College of Saint Rose wrapping up the afternoon with a 2-1 record.

At the end of the day, Millersville stood with an overall record of 2-5 in the early parts of a long season.

Millersville opened the day against Wilmington and won all three sets by a close margin with wins of 25-24, 25-21 and 25-21.

Freshman Caitlin forest hits a serve in Dutch Country Spiketacular this past weekend. The Marauders hosted the four team round-robin and finished the day with a 2-1 record. Millersville will build upon the success they experienced at the tournament next weekend as they enter the Le Moyne tournament in Syracuse, N.Y.

After disposing of the Wildcats, the Marauders were set to take on the College of Saint Rose. Though Millersville was not quite as successful against the Golden Knights, losing in four sets 25-8, 17-25, 25-11 and 25-13.

After losing at the hands of the Golden Knights, the Marauders were able to finish above .500 on the day as they easily dismantled Bowie State University.

Millersville won in straight sets by scores of 25-12, 25-12, and 25-11.

Overall, it was a very successful afternoon for the Marauders as they managed to bounce back from opening their season 0-4 after a winless trip to San Antonio, Texas.

While in the Lone Star State Millersville competed against tough opponents which included Metro State, St. Mary’s of Texas, Central Oklahoma and 16th ranked Florida Southern.

Although they returned home empty handed, it was a valuable learning experience for the team that finished 11-16 last season; and features a total of eight freshman and almost an entirely new roster.

“It was a really good learning experience, we know we’re not going to face teams that are as good as the ones we saw [in San Antonio], but we’re still going to be facing high caliber teams,” senior Meredith Sinback said.

Experiences such as the one in Texas will be vital to the young Marauders squad which features only two seniors, no juniors, and sophomores and freshman filling out the rest of the roster.
“It helps the younger girls get used to playing at a high tempo, as compared to high school and club volleyball,” Sinback said.

Head Coach Betsy Hayden will turn to her two seniors Sinback and Emily Bires to be leaders on the floor for a team which was pegged in at sixth place out of seven teams in the PSAC preseason rankings.

“It’s really important for us to step up and take the leadership role,” Sinback said.  “Emily [Bires] and I have been playing together since our freshman year in high school and we know it can be really overwhelming coming to college so it’s important for us to help not only on the court but off the court as well.”

The most important thing for the team will be making the best out of each game, set, and match before it begins its conference play on September 15 against Cheyney University.

“Overall, we’ve been showing promise,” Sinback said.  “The PSAC is competitive and very evenly matched and I think we know now that we can compete.”

The Marauders host Goldey-Beacom College this evening in Pucillo Gymnasium before shipping off to Syracuse, N.Y. for the weekend to take part in the Le Moyne Tournament.  The upcoming matches will be the final tests for the youthful team as they begin their conference play next week.

Millersville's volleyball team takes time to huddle in between points during the Dutch Country Spiketacular