Seahawk volleyball splits opening weekend
Jim Dallke | Assistant Sports Editor
Issue date: 9/3/09 Section: Sports
The Seahawk volleyball team opened its 2009 campaign last Friday at the Hilton RTP/NCCU Invitational, leaving the two-day event with two wins and two loses. UNCW handled UNC Asheville and South Carolina State University with ease, winning 3-1 and 3-0 respectively. Elon and High Point University edged the Seahawks 3-0 and 3-1.
Senior outside hitter Lindsey Strucko led the way for UNCW throughout the tournament, leading the team in kills. She finished the weekend with 60 kills and 32 digs on her way to earning All-Tournament honors. Head coach Amy Bambeneck was pleased with the way the senior performed.
"Lindsey did an outstanding job of being our go-to player on offense and was able to provide some big kills during the match,” Bambeneck told uncwsports.com.
The most impressive victory for UNCW came Saturday against South Carolina State University. The Seahawks out hit the Bulldogs .315 to .065 and had nine fewer errors. Strucko had just one error in 23 attempts and finished the match with a .609 attack percentage. Senior middle blocker Paula McConnell and junior outside hitter Kelli Clear were also instrumental in the three-game sweep. McConnell posted a .400 attack percentage with six kills, while Clear had seven kills and a team-high six digs.
However, the low point for UNCW came during the match against High Point University, last year’s Big South regular season champion. The Seahawks looked like they had the match under control after a 25-20 victory in game one, but then lost the next two games 25-18 and 27-25. After the heartbreaking third game, the Seahawks came out deflated as they fell to the Panthers 25-14. Bambeneck noted that the Seahawks struggled to gain momentum in the final game against High Point.
"It was back-and-forth in the first three games against High Point before High Point was able to put together a 6-1 run in the fourth game that was due to our inability to pass the ball well," Bambenek said. "It was a hard-fought match versus the Panthers, and I was pleased with our effort."
Overall, Bambeneck and the Seahawks have to be pleased with their efforts for the tournament. There was a lot of uncertainty about how this team would react and perform under the new coaching staff, and the Seahawks proved that, at least for now, things are headed in the right direction.
UNCW brings its 2-2 record home this weekend for the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott/Hilton Garden Inn Classic at Hanover Gym. The Seahawks will face Columbia and Niagara in the two-day tournament.
Senior outside hitter Lindsey Strucko led the way for UNCW throughout the tournament, leading the team in kills. She finished the weekend with 60 kills and 32 digs on her way to earning All-Tournament honors. Head coach Amy Bambeneck was pleased with the way the senior performed.
"Lindsey did an outstanding job of being our go-to player on offense and was able to provide some big kills during the match,” Bambeneck told uncwsports.com.
The most impressive victory for UNCW came Saturday against South Carolina State University. The Seahawks out hit the Bulldogs .315 to .065 and had nine fewer errors. Strucko had just one error in 23 attempts and finished the match with a .609 attack percentage. Senior middle blocker Paula McConnell and junior outside hitter Kelli Clear were also instrumental in the three-game sweep. McConnell posted a .400 attack percentage with six kills, while Clear had seven kills and a team-high six digs.
However, the low point for UNCW came during the match against High Point University, last year’s Big South regular season champion. The Seahawks looked like they had the match under control after a 25-20 victory in game one, but then lost the next two games 25-18 and 27-25. After the heartbreaking third game, the Seahawks came out deflated as they fell to the Panthers 25-14. Bambeneck noted that the Seahawks struggled to gain momentum in the final game against High Point.
"It was back-and-forth in the first three games against High Point before High Point was able to put together a 6-1 run in the fourth game that was due to our inability to pass the ball well," Bambenek said. "It was a hard-fought match versus the Panthers, and I was pleased with our effort."
Overall, Bambeneck and the Seahawks have to be pleased with their efforts for the tournament. There was a lot of uncertainty about how this team would react and perform under the new coaching staff, and the Seahawks proved that, at least for now, things are headed in the right direction.
UNCW brings its 2-2 record home this weekend for the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott/Hilton Garden Inn Classic at Hanover Gym. The Seahawks will face Columbia and Niagara in the two-day tournament.
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