With senior libero Cheri White and junior setter Joana Garboggini sidelined with injuries, the Lady Colonels volleyball team continued their season last weekend on the road by losing to Wichita State, San Diego State, Oral Roberts and North Texas in the Wichita State Tournament in Wichita, Kan.
White and Garboggini stayed in Thibodaux to recuperate while their teammates went on the road.
“I think we need to be adjustable. We had to make some changes to Joana and Cheri’s positions. Those were some adjustments we had to make, and we need to respond better to that,” M. J. Engstrom, head volleyball coach, said.
Engstrom said one of the fundamentals the Lady Colonels failed to execute in the Wichita Tournament was passing the ball, which is something at which White excels.
“Everybody that we have as a passer can pass as well as Cheri, but nobody seemed to step up to that challenge. They are going to have to because we need to be a much better passing team.” Engstrom said.
Engstom said she hopes to see more productivity from senior outside hitter Caley Carter and middle blocker Becca Beall.
“Caley had a decent weekend, and Becca really picked up when Caley wasn’t having a really good match. We still need more production out of them. We need them to be more efficient and get more kills,” Engstrom said.
Against Wichita State (4-3), the Lady Colonels lost in three sets 30-15, 30-14 and 30-27. The Lady Colonels committed a total of 23 errors against Wichita, putting the Lady Colonels in a hole from which they could never recover.
Wichita’s defense smothered the Lady Colonels by holding them to a -.037 hitting percentage in the match. The Lady Colonels had a total of 20 kills for the match.
Carter, who was named Southland Conference player of the week last week, led the Lady Colonels with six kills and seven digs. Beall added four kills and five digs, freshman middle blocker Atina Porter added three kills and one dig, and junior middle blocker Brenda Ross notched three kills for the Lady Colonels.
Engstrom said the strength and physical quickness of Wichita overpowered the Lady Colonels.
“Wichita is a very good team. They won the tournament and they are pretty tall and quick. They played quicker overall, and we need to adjust to that speed,” Engstrom said.
In the second game against San Diego State (6-3), the Lady Colonels were defeated 3-1 in four sets 30-19, 30-18, 31-29 and 30-13.
“They were second in the tournament and they are getting votes in the national rankings. They are a very mature team with upperclassmen, and they have good ball-control,” Engstrom said.
The Lady Colonels fell behind early to lose the first two games to San Diego State, but clinched the third set. In the fourth set, the Lady Colonels committed to many turnovers to force a fifth game.
For the contest, San Diego State hit .248 and held the Lady Colonels to a .097 hitting percentage overall. The Lady Colonels committed 33 errors overall and notched 47 kills in the contest.
Carter led the Lady Colonels with 24 kills, three digs and one block. Beall added eight kills and two digs, and Ross notched six kills and one dig.
In the third game against Oral Roberts (3-1), the Lady Colonels fell 3-0 in three straight sets. The Lady Colonels lost despite committing fewer turnovers than Oral Roberts, and out-hitting them .195 to .143
After a close first match, the Lady Colonels had to play catch-up because of too many turnovers down the stretch.
Beall led the Lady Colonels offensively with 11 kills, two blocks and nine digs. Carter added nine kills and seven digs, freshman middle blocker KaLeigh Butler notched six kills and one dig, and Ross contributed nine kills, two digs and two blocks.
In the last match of the tournament, the Lady Colonels fell to North Texas (6-6) in three straight sets.
North Texas out hit the Lady Colonels .314 to .279 and forced 17 Lady Colonel turnovers.
Carter led the Lady Colonels with 20 kills, five digs and one block. Porter notched 11 kills and two digs, Ross contributed six kills and four digs, and Beall added five kills and seven digs.
The Lady Colonels will continue their season in their home opener Friday against Texas State in Stopher Gym at 7 p.m.