Above the Net
9/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Above the Net
Southern Miss vs. Southeastern Louisiana
GAME 1
First of all, I really like SLU?s uniforms. The jerseys are yellow with green racing stripes on the sleeves. The spandex shorts are bright green. They looked sharp. Santiago is having a conversation with the down referee, but I don?t think she is listening to him. He?s arguing a call, and telling her she needs to pay attention.
The SLU Lions are scoring most of their points on tips and setter dumps. The Lady Eagles are scoring by placing the ball in deep center court. Zane got an ace and Bush got a kill in that spot. SLU calls a time out when USM is up 14-9. USM is playing well; they are not making many hitting errors. I think when Bush hits, the block just disappears?it?s unstoppable. SLU calls another time out at 24-17, for one last chance to come back, but the last few points are filled with long rallies and great defense by the Eagles. Truong usually gets a kill every time when Zane sets her a ?2? out of the middle. Zane and Files are ON tonight with the slides. Zane takes care of an overpass and kills it down the middle. Final Score 30-22, USM.
GAME 2
Truong and Files: 2 attempts = 2 blocks! The Lady Eagles are making service and hitting errors that they were not making in game 1. Truong is a consistent player, you hardly ever see her mess up. There are long rallies during this game. Files is blocking really well. SLU picks up a lot of balls on defense. They don?t let a lot of balls drop that?s for sure. USM is losing this game 13-16 because of too many unforced errors and good defense by SLU. Now, the Lady Eagles are fighting to come back, and Tribble is helping the process by being consistent in the front row. SLU calls a time out at 21-19 and again at 26-23, when the Eagles are ahead, but USM takes the win 30-24.
GAME 3
Files is doing a great job on the net tonight. All in the same play, she blocks with Truong on the right side and quickly moves to the left side and blocks with Tribble. Then, she ends the rally by blocking an overpass. Yes, I know that?s what she?s supposed to do, but three blocks in one play, all on different spots on the net?! Great job, Biff!
USM is making a ton of unforced errors. Coach Santiago is so funny because he will yell someone?s name on the court and scare them, making them think they messed up. Then, he?ll say, ?Nice job?. It?s cool how he does that, because it makes you play better when you know Coach is behind you, and he?s noticing that you are playing well. Tribble keeps serving short right over the net, just doing what coach is telling her to do. SLU calls a pointless time out at 23-14. Hey now! Look at Stephens controlling the net! Nice block by Andrea ? Great defense by Olsson. Every time Tribble gets a roof block, she throws her right arm up, skips to the middle of the court to meet her teammates, shakes her head back and forth, and yells, ?YEAH?! Her older sister, Kelly Tribble, and I both noticed it at the same time and had a little chuckle. USM goes home 30-19.
Files was the star of this match ... Her play at the net was unbelievable. And where would she be without Zane and Olsson.