2008 Woodie Awards
There's no place like home...
Patrick Swafford
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Sports
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Someone once said, "There's no place like home."
The JSU Volleyball team made their long awaited return to Pete Matthews Coliseum Tuesday night and efficiently dispatched Tennessee-Chattanooga in three straight games.
"It's so nice to be at home," said Emily Withers. "You feel relaxed and comfortable. I love it."
The Gamecocks held off the Mocs to win the first game 30-27, while late JSU runs buried UTC in the final two games, 30-22 and 30-23, improving their home record since joining the OVC to 22-4.
"Getting back home is always great," said JSU Coach Rick Nold. "I thought we had a great crowd. The girls really need that. They thrive off the big crowds. They get excited. You look at our hitting percentage and they were just really playing aggressive."
The Gamecocks (3-4) attacked UTC at every opportunity from the beginning, keeping The Mocs on the defensive throughout all three games. Middle blockers, Shari Weyer and Abbey Breit led the Gamecocks, with 15 kills while Withers had 41 assists. Weyer also led the team with an impressive .583 attack percentage. In all, The Gamecocks punished the Mocs with 61 total kills and a .344 attack percentage.
The first game set the tone for the Gamecocks as they finished with a .400 attack percentage and 22 kills, but defensive miscues helped the Mocs stay in contention.
"We actually switched our defense last night," Nold said. "We switched a few people around to different spots, so there was a little confusion, but it was also a lot better in terms of people making the digs when we needed them to."
On defense, JSU's all time leader in digs, Kisha West contributed with ten and also had one kill.
In the second game, everything seemed to just go right for the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks allowed UTC (5-3) to get as close as 16-16, but the momentum swung in favor of JSU as Breit scored three of the final eight points.
"That's what we're looking for from her," said Nold. "When she hits that way, she's going to be very effective and open things up for everybody else."
The JSU Volleyball team made their long awaited return to Pete Matthews Coliseum Tuesday night and efficiently dispatched Tennessee-Chattanooga in three straight games.
"It's so nice to be at home," said Emily Withers. "You feel relaxed and comfortable. I love it."
The Gamecocks held off the Mocs to win the first game 30-27, while late JSU runs buried UTC in the final two games, 30-22 and 30-23, improving their home record since joining the OVC to 22-4.
"Getting back home is always great," said JSU Coach Rick Nold. "I thought we had a great crowd. The girls really need that. They thrive off the big crowds. They get excited. You look at our hitting percentage and they were just really playing aggressive."
The Gamecocks (3-4) attacked UTC at every opportunity from the beginning, keeping The Mocs on the defensive throughout all three games. Middle blockers, Shari Weyer and Abbey Breit led the Gamecocks, with 15 kills while Withers had 41 assists. Weyer also led the team with an impressive .583 attack percentage. In all, The Gamecocks punished the Mocs with 61 total kills and a .344 attack percentage.
The first game set the tone for the Gamecocks as they finished with a .400 attack percentage and 22 kills, but defensive miscues helped the Mocs stay in contention.
"We actually switched our defense last night," Nold said. "We switched a few people around to different spots, so there was a little confusion, but it was also a lot better in terms of people making the digs when we needed them to."
On defense, JSU's all time leader in digs, Kisha West contributed with ten and also had one kill.
In the second game, everything seemed to just go right for the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks allowed UTC (5-3) to get as close as 16-16, but the momentum swung in favor of JSU as Breit scored three of the final eight points.
"That's what we're looking for from her," said Nold. "When she hits that way, she's going to be very effective and open things up for everybody else."