After winning only six league matches and 16 overall in the pasttwo seasons, few expected San Diego State’s 2000 campaign to amountto much. But from the outset, the SDSU women’s volleyball teambelieved in itself.
The squad finished the season 17-12 overall and 9-5 in theMountain West Conference. Nine of their losses, including all fiveconference defeats, came to teams ranked in the top 25 in the nation.
The Aztecs have already exceeded most people’s expectations, butthey can do more — namely earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
This weekend, they head to Ft. Collins, Colo. to try to earn thatbid. And they go with revenge on their minds.
On Nov. 10, SDSU came within an eyelash of upsetting No. 5Colorado State. After taking a 2-0 lead, the Aztecs suffered acomplete collapse, allowing the Rams to escape with a 3-2 victory.
“After that loss, I felt rage,” said SDSU outside hitter AmyHallquist.
At the MWC Tournament, they’ll have another shot to beat the Rams– in their own house.
“It’s going to be tougher in their place, with their home crowd,”said Aztecs coach Mark Warner. “But that’s why we play the games.”
Sophomore Nicole Akporiaye said she is excited about anotheropportunity against CSU.
“It’s like revenge,” she said. “We had them (last time), we justdidn’t finish. We know we can beat them, and we don’t want the seasonto end with a loss to Colorado State.
“We’re confident that we can beat them.”
But to get a shot at CSU in the second round, two things musthappen. First, the top-seeded Rams have to avoid a catastrophic upsetat the hands of 0-14 Air Force. Secondly, SDSU must get past atenacious New Mexico team.
The Aztecs defeated the Lobos in both of their matches this year,but Warner said they cannot take New Mexico lightly.
“They serve really tough,” he said. “They just crank it. If theyget the ball in, it’s difficult (for us).”
Warner also said the gym in Ft. Collins is similar to the one inAlbuquerque, which could also work in their favor.
“We(also) have to do a better job of stopping a couple of their outsidehitters than we did the last time,” Warner said.
The hitters he was referring to are Jessie Goffard and MicaelaConley who pounded out 18 kills and 13 kills, respectively, in theirmatch on Oct. 28 in Albuquerque.
One factor that must be taken into consideration at the end of theseason is injuries. This year, the Aztecs have been lucky as theyhave been able to stay clear of any major ailments. That’s not to saythat they are at 100 percent physically.
Akporiaye has been suffering severe back pain caused by a grindingof the joints in her spine. It was originally thought to be a stressfracture, but much to her relief, it proved to not be that serious.
“I’m not going to stop playing because it’s hurting,” she said.
Senior Erin Grady, the MWC’s top blocker and second best in thenation, plays with nearly her entire left arm taped up on account ofa hyperextended elbow and a brace on her right knee because oftendonitis.
Sophomore setter Melissa Wright played last weekend on a sprainedankle, causing some of her sets to be off their marks.
Hallquist has been playing with a broken right pinky, an inflamedmeniscus in her left knee, a hyperextended elbow and a sore back andneck.
But the thought of another crack at CSU makes her forget all aboutthose inconveniences.
“Everyone was devastated by that loss,” Hallquist said. “Now it’sa personal vendetta. We want to kill them, destroying everyconfidence they have in volleyball.”
The potential match against CSU would be televised on tape delayon Channel 4 at 10:30 Friday night.
Put the kids to bed early, it could get ugly.
