Catastrophic season ends

Elaine Parrigon | The ChartHead coach Kalie Mader emphasizes a point to her team during play earlier this season inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic center in Joplin, Mo.  

A catastrophic season has finally reached its end. Catastrophe is not an over statement for the women’s volleyball season at Missouri Southern. With two more losses last weekend the Lions’ volleyball team finished their season at 3-25. 

On Friday, the Lions were in Warrensburg, Missouri to face the 15th ranked team in the nation in Central Missouri. The Jennies would dominate the match by defeating Southern three sets to none. Individual set scores were 25-11, 25-15, and 25-15. 

The next day the Lions traveled to St. Charles, Missouri to battle the Lions of Lindenwood University. The Lions squad from Joplin would yet again fail to win a set. Lindenwood won the first three by set scores of 25-20, 25-15, and 25-18. That was the 20th time this season the Lions were swept 3-0. 

Not only did the Lions finish the season with a dismal 3-25 record, but their set record was even more appalling at 80-14. Not only were the Lions struggling to win, but they failed to make most matches competitive. 

The strength of the MIAA volleyball conference is obvious. The catastrophic season for Missouri Southern volleyball is surprising. 

The Lions lost three players to graduation and four due to other things. A total of seven players lost from last years 11 win team. The best win total this team had seen in many years. Add a coaching change to things this team has dealt with over the past year.