For the first time in the 40-year history of the Bradley volleyball program, a Braves squad is facing the challenge of securing its first win after 10 games to start a season.
“It’s hard,” coach Jenny Maurer said. “It’s hard not to be aware and recognize the record, but we aren’t talking about it because we are talking about the little things we need to do to get better.”
The Braves dropped all three matches as they hosted the 2014 CEFCU Classic Sept. 12-13. In their first match and home opener, Miami (OH) came into Renaissance Coliseum and spoiled the party.
After returning from injury the previous match against Western Illinois, sophomore Kelsey Cave, who ended the match with 11 kills and three blocks, came out with great energy in the first set to take a 1-0 lead. Sadly, that’s all the energy you would see from the Braves, as the Redhawks, led by sophomore Paige Hill’s 16 kills, stifled the Braves 3-1 (28-26, 16-25, 19-25, 18-25).
The second and third matches were similar for the Braves, as they dropped the final two matches both in four sets, to the University of Missouri-Kansas City (13-25, 17-25, 26-24, 19-25) and North Dakota State (23-25, 25-23, 20-25, 19-25).
But if there could be any positives of the three-game homestand, it is that all three freshmen, including Jamie Livaudais, Afton Sobatsky and Taylor Thiele played every set and played well.
“I’m gaining confidence with every game,” Livaudais said. “The whole team is supporting [all three of us] and making sure to help us wherever we need it.”
Maurer echoed similar words about how well her three freshmen are playing and said that with every match they play, the more trust the coaching staff has in them.
“They are doing a fantastic job so far,” Maurer said. “We are holding them to high standards. We wouldn’t put them in the game if we didn’t feel confident in them, and so far, they are putting up the numbers.”
In each of the three home matches, one of the three freshmen led the team in kills and assists. Furthermore, over the weekend, Livaudais, Sobatsky and Thiele combined for 79 of the team’s 142 (56 percent) kills and 112 of the 136 (82 percent) assists.
“I couldn’t be more proud of [all three freshmen],” Maurer said. “We are giving them a lot to handle right now, but they are learning so quickly and performing well for how little experience they have.”
A main cause of the three freshmen’s significant playing time is that key players are out with injuries. Juniors Kristi Chynoweth, who was in a walking boot this summer, and Jessie Tulacka, who suffered a shoulder injury, are both missing time for the Braves.
Maurer sent Chynoweth in during the first set against UMKC, but wasn’t satisfied with how she responded. Tulacka, on the other hand, is still waiting for an MRI on her shoulder.
The Braves open Missouri Valley Conference play on Sept. 19-20 on the road. They will first play at Drake and then make the short trip to Cedar Falls, IA to face Northern Iowa. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. starts.
