2008 Woodie Awards
New offense equals familiar results
Zachary Groves
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Sports
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So far, the Cougars are 2-0 since adopting the new system. They squeezed by the Rangers 3-2 in five games Friday and rallied from a 0-1 deficit to beat the Flyers in four Saturday.
"Everything's faster," SIUE Head Coach Todd Gober said. "(We'll) use our athleticism a little bit more. It's just a faster (game)."
Gober said the team toyed with the idea a few weeks ago, but intensified the system after dropping its only Great Lakes Valley Conference losses to Northern Kentucky University and University of Indianapolis in late September.
According to Gober and junior setter Mallory Clements, the players will set and hit the ball quicker offensively and as soon as the players up front make a block or a defensive play, they will need to jump back, ready to hit the ball again.
"I know that when we were passing well, and our sets (were) quicker, the blockers (couldn't) keep up," Clements said of using the system against the Rangers and Flyers. "Our outsides and middles took advantage of that and hit the seams of the block."
The new system also saw several players spike at least 10 kills each match. Junior middle hitter Samantha Schulte led five Cougars in double-digit kills with 19 Friday and junior outside hitter Emily Rahn collected 17 as four finished with more than 10 kills Saturday.
"We love it, it's definitely working for us," junior outside hitter Kate Hofeldt said of the new system. "It makes the game more exciting … being loud and trying to get the (opposing) team to guess."
Different system aside, junior setter Mallory Clements continues her familiar dominance on the court. Clements posted two triple-doubles, her third and fourth this season, during the weekend as she collected 10 kills, 46 assists and 23 digs against UW-Parkside and 11 kills, 45 assists and 25 digs against Lewis.
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