Opening weekend ends with losing record, positive outlook
Juniors Payton Graves (middle) and Abby Finder (right) defend during the Lions contest against Central Missouri at home during senior night on Oct. 29, 2013. The Lions lost 3-0.
The Lions got the season under way Sept. 5 at the Angelo State University Tournament in Angelo, Texas.
The Lions opened the 2014 season against ranked opponent No. 19 Angelo State, but even though they went on to fall to Angelo State in a tough four-set battle, they don’t feel defeated.
“It felt great to compete again,” said team captain Abby Finder. “We’ve been very anxious to actually put on our uniforms and play volleyball and show fans that we are a great team and deserve to compete with the best.”
The Lions dropped both of their opening day matches, going on to lose the nightcap to Arkansas-Monticello 3-1.
It wasn’t the way the Lions wanted to start the season, but senior Katie Politte looked at things from a different point of view.
“Stepping on the court at our first tournament as a senior, I realized how quickly life has gone by,” she said. “Things are different now. Now I play with even more passion for the game. I have this need to share with the underclassmen to have fun and expect each other to work hard.”
The following day, the Lions got their first win of the young 2014 season against Tarleton State University.
It was a hard-fought nail-biting finish as the Lions won in five sets.
“The win felt unbelievable,” Politte said. “We beat a team that never loses, so it was nice to make a statement. We went into not just this match but this weekend with no fear and to work on meeting our full potential.”
Krishna Merriman led the charge for Lions, notching her first double-double of the season with 15 kills and 10 digs.
The Lions would go on to lose the second match of the day, getting swept by Arkansas Fort Smith.
All three sets were hard fought by the Lions but UAFS pulled away late in each set.
The Lions finished their opening weekend matches 1-3, but they took away some positives they look to build on come Friday.
“From these games I take away how much more of a team we are this season,” said Finder. “This weekend showed that we know how to work together and push each other to never give up.”
“I personally took away that we are a force to be reckoned with, and other teams shouldn’t underestimate us,” said Politte.
The Lions are right back at it today and tomorrow as they take their talents to the South Central Classic in Oklahoma for a four-match weekend.
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