As the Bradley volleyball team nears the midway point of Missouri Valley Conference play, confidence is abundant among the Braves who are tied for fourth.
“I think we’re doing some really great stuff,” head coach Carol Price-Torok said. “For us it’s continuing to believe that we can play with the best of the best … consistently play with the best of the best. I think that’s probably a better analogy.”
The Braves, along with Evansville are 5-3 in conference play, and are entering matches against Missouri State and Southern Illinois on the heels of mixed results last weekend. Bradley defeated Valparaiso in straight sets on Oct. 18 before falling victim in a sweep to Loyola-Chicago the next night. Price-Torok noted that execution of the game plan was the difference-maker between the two matches.
“I think we executed a little better servicing-wise on Friday,” Price-Torok said. “Therefore everyone could be a little more involved in the offense. You saw the offense have a lot more action on Friday than we could get them on Saturday, and that’s a big difference maker for us.”
Sophomores Hannah Thompson, Rachel Pranger and junior Sara Maddox all tallied eight kills in the Valparaiso match, though Thompson’s Bradley-record streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles was snapped in the quick victory.
The match was only the third time this season that Bradley had swept an opponent, following 3-0 wins over Belmont on Sept. 6 and Northern Illinois on Sept. 21.
The straight-set loss to Loyola represented a different story, with Loyola’s rally from a 23-21 deficit in the second set being the deciding factor.
The focus for the Braves now turns to tonight’s match at Missouri State and tomorrow’s match at Southern Illinois.
The Braves faced both opponents at home earlier this season, falling to SIU in five sets and defeating Missouri State in three.
“We need to play very consistent and just worry about our game,” sophomore outside hitter. Hannah Thompson said. “Neither team is doing anything crazy amazing, so just really worrying about our side and being consistent and controlling what we can control I think will allow us to be really successful this weekend.”
The Loyola-Chicago match marked the eighth of 18 MVC matches this season, and Bradley will reach the halfway point of conference play on Friday at Missouri State. Thompson likes where the team stands as the conference season reaches its halfway point.
“I think we’re at a really good spot because we’ve had a lot of success,” Thompson said. “But we also still have a lot more to have. Just seeing how much we’re growing with each match, whether that’s on the court or off the court is just really exciting. I think we’re at a good spot.”
Thompson credits her teammates with making an impact during the first half of conference play all over the court.
“Our two setters, [freshman] Carlee [Camlin] and [sophomore] Hailey [Delacher] have made a huge difference, especially since [Hannah] Angeli has been hurt since conference really started,” Thompson said.
Thompson continued and praised the defense as well.
“Our two freshman middles [Raeann Bergman and Karagan Coggin] have done a great job for us … and [junior] Emma [Raleigh] coming into the libero position has also done a great job.”
First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight against Southern Illinois, and 5 p.m. tomorrow against Missouri State.
