Perfect finale for Aggie seniors
LAWTON, Oklahoma (October 31) – The Cameron Aggie volleyball team (16-11, 4-7 LSC) stayed on the winning track today as they recorded a very impressive home win against the tough Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (22-8, 7-4 LSC). The Black and Gold played tremendously well today and captured the match in five sets where the final score was written to 19-25, 25-13, 14-25, 25-23, 15-12.
Today’s match was special since it was Senior Day and the last home match of the season for the Aggie ladies. Additionally, it improves CU’s win total to 16 with two matches left. The Aggies went 14-13 in 2008.
Head Coach Brianne Smedley has five seniors on her squad this year: setter Laura Ellerbrock, libero/defensive specialist Lindsay Carroll, middle blockers Jelia Janssen and Sydney Stewart, and right-side hitter Lindsay Paziuk.
“Today’s win couldn’t have made Senior Day any better,” Coach Smedley said. “The crowd was into it, the girls played well, and we were successful in a five-set match.”
In front of a packed Aggie Gym, the CU girls suffered a rough start where TAMU-C came out and was the better team in the first set. However, just like many times this season, the Aggies fought their way back into the match and won the second set in decisive fashion by the score of 25-13.
“We have struggled a little bit with recovering when we get down, so it was great to see the girls not let anything affect them,” Coach Smedley said.
Looking to come back on top, the Lions played great in the third set and put pressure on the Aggies. Not really giving the Aggies a chance to come back, TAMU-C captured the set by the score of 25-14.
Once again, the Aggies were able to refocus and took control of the fourth set. After battling it out and showing incredible commitment, the CU ladies did not let the pressure get the worse of them. They won the fourth set by the score of 25-23 to force the match into a deciding fifth set.
Cameron has suffered a few close, five-set losses this season but today was a different story. Using the home crowd to their advantage, the Aggies played great and showed mental toughness as they prevailed and captured the fifth set by the score of 15-12.
“With it being a five-set match with a huge crowd on Senior Day it was definitely a pressure situation, so it was good to see the girls come through against a team that doesn’t quit,” Coach Smedley said.
Sophomore outside hitters Nikita Abbott and Adrienne Lawson had great matches today and both played a big part in today’s outcome. Abbott contributed with an amazing team-high 16 kills, 5 defensive digs and 3 blocks. Lawson recorded 12 kills, 2 service aces and an incredible 16 defensive digs.
Today’s win was incredibly important and puts the Aggies as undefeated for the week. Hoping to use this momentum for the upcoming matches, Coach Smedley said she was extremely pleased with today’s win.
“This was obviously a big win because it’s Senior Night, but it’s also a big win because of how good of an opponent TAMU-C was and how high they are in the LSC standings,” Coach Smedley said. “As a coach you always want to see your team fight for everything, and I can see the girls doing that right now: fighting hard for wins.”
With two matches left on the 2009 season, CU still has an outside shot at clinching a berth in the Lone Star Conference Championship tournament. The Aggies need to win out and hope for a few teams ahead of them to lose.
“I’m glad the team’s efforts have been rewarded, and I’m really glad that the seniors got this win because they have put a lot of time and energy into the program; they really deserved it,” Coach Smedley said.
The Aggies are currently sitting on a 16-11, 4-7 LSC team record. They will be in action again on November 5 when they travel to Edmond, Oklahoma to take on the Bronchos of the University of Central Oklahoma.
