Originally published in the September 24, 2010 issue
The volleyball team extended its winless streak to five games, losing to conference opponents Wichita State and Missouri State.
Both of the contests were held at the arena on campus.
The Braves faced Wichita State in their first conference match of the season and lost in straight sets 25-17, 25-18, 25-17. The loss brought the team’s overall record to 4-7 and 0-1 in the conference.
Freshmen Amy Angelos and Lauren Zerante each had seven kills to lead the Braves. Junior Megan Schmidt added six kills and sophomore Allie Gardner had a match-high 15 digs.
The next night, Bradley was down two sets to none against Missouri State and was trailing 19-16 in the third set. It appeared the Braves would be swept in straight sets for the second consecutive night.
Then Schmidt took over.
Schmidt sparked a 7-0 Bradley run with three straight blocks to grab a 23-19 lead. Missouri State answered with two points before Schmidt ended the match with a kill to take the set 25-22.
The Braves took the fourth set 25-20 to force a deciding fifth set.
But it was not to be, as the Bears took the set 15-9 to take the match 25-13, 25-15, 22-25, 20-25, 15-9.
Schmidt led the team with 12 kills and Angelos added 10 of her own. The duo combined to give the Braves a season-high 15 blocks.
Gardner again led the team with 21 digs.
Junior Rachelle Dejean said the team’s effort was a lot better against Missouri State than it was against Wichita State.
“Saturday was a huge improvement over Friday night,” she said. “We gave a lot more fight, but it would have been nice to get a W instead of the L.”
Dejean said the team needs to continue to work hard to finish the season strong.
“We need to keep working hard,” she said. “We have to go to the gym everyday with the attitude that we will improve.
The Braves’ next game is today when they travel to Drake in the irfirst Missouri Valley road contest of the season.
