Sept. 21, 2010

Box Score Video: Post Game Interviews

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It was right there for the LadyCats, each set hit a point where they were in control, Tuesday night at Moore Gymnasium, facing the Dolphins of Jacksonville University. But each time, the taller JU volleyballers were able to regain the upper hand and close the deal. The LadyCats showed great heart and played well in the system, and as a team, especially coming back from a large deficit to open the match. However, JU got the best of B-CU, winning in straight sets, 3-0.

"It is great to see that we did fight in each set, they were all pretty close," said Head Coach Vanessa Cogswell, "but we definitely have to buckle down when it really counts. We can't be making unforced errors."

The stat sheet really doesn't tell the tale if you look solely at the scores. In the first set, the final wouldn't suggest that the LadyCats were down by as many as 20, as JU came out firing to open. The LadyCats stuck with the system, and with the Dolphins closing in on the win, B-CU launched off into two runs on the serving of Jessica Wilson, garnering a set of five and three consecutive points respectively, to break down JU's margin to a single point late in the match. With two B-CU errors and a JU kill, the Dolphins were able to take the first one, leading the entire way, 25-21.

"In the first set it was like they (the LadyCats) were asleep, and I was just waiting for my team to show up," noted Cogswell of the tough start. "They finally did [show up]; we were down, and all of the sudden we're fighting back. But it was too deep of a hole to come out of."

The second set was a totally different story, as B-CU flowed on the momentum of the huge rally, building an 8-2 lead over JU early in the second. The Dolphins made up the ground to tie it at nine, but struggled to keep the momentum in their favor, as the LadyCats traded scores with them until late in the match. JU pulled away late, finishing off the second with a 25-21 win.

In the third, every time JU thought they may have an advantage, there was B-CU. The third set featured 13 tied scores and 5 lead changes. The LadyCats came up big several times, showing true desire, collecting 7 team blocks, led by Krysta Gardner, over JU's taller hitters. The final tie was the make-or-break point, as B-CU knotted it up at 23-all, but were unable to capitalize to keep the match alive at Moore Gym. Two solid kills by JU's Alliya Drzewiecki wrapped up the set 25-23, and the match at 3-0.

Jessica Wilson led the LadyCats in scoring, recording 8 kills on a .130 hitting percentage, while Kaiyana Johnson hit .250 to tie with Sydney Smith each came away with two full blocks, as B-CU outblocked JU 8-4. Jacqueline Woodyear made several acrobatic and split-second-reaction digs to lead the team with 12.

"Our team is just right there, but we want to be able to finish those games. I don't think we layed down at any moment...the heart is there, and we just have to get over the hump and choose to win," Cogswell concluded.

The LadyCats (4-13) grab a little rest and preparation as they set for their first true road trip of the season. Prior to now, it's been all tournament play away from Moore Gymnasium. B-CU closes out September with a 26th date at Western Carolina and 27th at Presbyterian before returning for a five-game home stretch in early October.

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