Kasey Fiedler
Contributing Writer
The Wooster volleyball team currently holds a 7-16 record on the 2013 season, including an 1-4 conference record. Though it is not the record they expected to have at this point, it does not reflect the potential and talent on the team.
Captains Paige Parker ’14 and Erica Skillman ’14 agreed that the individual skill on this team is better than it has ever been in the past. However, with seven underclassmen out of 13 players on the team, it has been difficult to come together on the court and learn to play as a unit. Nonetheless, the Fighting Scots are “improving tremendously,” said Parker. Skillman expressed that she is not satisfied with their record but is still proud of the effort the team is putting forth.
The 2013 team has undergone a few changes this year, including some additions to the coaching staff. One of the new coaches is former player and recent graduate Kelly Johnson ’13.
“She adds a different dynamic to the team because she understands players’ perspectives since she played with us a few years back,” Parker says.
Although the team is going through a rebuilding year, Parker and Skillman believe the additions to the team (e.g. new coaching-staff members and first-year players) are extremely valuable.
“They are filling big roles,” declared Parker. “We really need them and they’ve stepped up,” Skillman said about the first-year players on the team.
With regard to post-season, Parker said, “I think that we have the chance to beat teams that we played in the beginning of the season. We started out playing some of the best teams in the conference, and I believe now that we have more experience under our belt with our young players we have a chance to upset those teams in the tournament and get some games back.”
Skillman predicts that the Fighting Scots will play well, “much better than anyone expects.”
The volleyball team is more than halfway through their lengthy season. Although they have not come out on top against some opponents, they have still shown spirit to this point, sweeping opponents in four of their six wins.
The remaining wins were tight matches in which the team prevailed against Oberlin College and Kalamazoo College. Their most recent sweep was against Wayne College (Akron), which fueled the Fighting Scots’ plan to begin their conference winning streak.
Right before press time, Wooster defeated the Kenyon College Ladies 3-1 to earn their first conference victory.
Parker and Skillman expressed confidence that they would be able to defeat the Ladies on Tuesday night, building momentum in the conference that will prepare them for their upcoming matches this weekend.
Tomorrow, the Scots are taking on Penn State Behrend (Erie, Pa.) and La Roche College (Pittsburgh). Although non-conference, these games will get them ready for their senior night against Ohio Wesleyan University on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Students are encouraged to visit Timken Gymnasium next Friday and support Parker, Skillman, Zoe Zwegat ’14 and Catherine Benton ’14 as they battle the Bishops and look to make their mark in the conference.