2008 Woodie Awards
URI women's volleyball team sweeps La Salle, falls short against Temple
Kayla Panu
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Sports
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"We did what we needed to do against La Salle," head coach Bob Schneck said. "This year La Salle is better and will take you and the score later into the game. We really played well and I am proud of their performance."
In one of the La Salle matches Friday night, URI had a commanding victory, winning 30-17. The Rams also had home court advantage with loud cheers coming from their fans with every point and kill.
The Rams had control of the second game for the most part, but let La Salle inch its way back into the game. At one point URI was leading 17-14, keeping the ball in play with much effort. La Salle came back to tie the game at 21 until URI took the lead on the next play. URI would score a point and then La Salle would tie the game.
After a few timeouts by La Salle to regroup, URI took the game 30-28.
La Salle took the first point in game three, but URI regained the lead at 3-2 and kept it to win 30-17.
Freshman Lauren McIntosh had 12 kills and junior Jillian Bekke had 10 kills. Senior Kaira Kachadurian had 47 assists. Sophomore Caitlyn Welsh had nine kill and 12 digs.
The Rams were not so fortunate against Temple, losing 30-26, 30-27 and 30-20.
According to Schneck, Temple started its season with a bad record and four people injured, but it looks better now.
In game one Saturday night, the Rams were tied with the Owls 23-23, but the Rams could not hold on.
"The air was let out of the balloon," Schneck said. "We committed a lot of unforced errors. We need to play with another sense of urgency once at 25 points and up."
The Rams played two really good games, Schneck said, but he did not care for the third game. "We have to play stronger longer," he said.
Freshman Kayla Newberg had 11 kills with Welsh and freshman Amy Mellard both contributing eight.
The team also practiced a new strategy against Temple, switch blocking. However, this strategy didn't work against three of Temple's experienced players. These players had competed in China.
"I call them women amongst girls," Schneck said.
"We got beat by a better team," he said. "But we are hopeful we will win on Saturday and will take one match at a time."
URI travels to New York on Saturday to face Fordham University at 2 p.m.
"I'm hopeful that the girls will sense the urgency of the stretch," Schneck said.