Volleyball blocks out losing trend
by Raina Kiewel
The Lewis and Clark volleyball team fell to the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes last Saturday, culminating a five-game losing skid. Beginning with a tough four-game loss at home to Linfield College, the Pioneers took the show on the road, dropping matches to Whitman, Whitworth, Cascade, and PLU. With the final loss on Saturday go the hopes of a post-season playoff berth for LC. At 1-9 in the NCIC, Lewis and Clark shares last place in the league with Pacific University.
While competitive in both of last week’s matches, the Pioneers fell short of the elusive “W,” with a one games to four defeat at Cascade and a 3-game sweep at PLU. On Wednesday, LC saw solid performances against Cascade College from sophomore Kasey Cordell, and seniors Holly James and Jana Shorb. Cordell led the way with 10 kills, 2 service aces, 16 digs, one solo block, and 7 block assists. James, taking over as outside hitter opposite Cordell, contributed 11 kills and 18 digs, while middle blocker Shorb added 15 kills, 6 digs, and one block assist.
In light of these impressive performances, the loss was all the more difficult to stomach, particularly since the Pioneers swept Cascade in three during their earlier confrontation at home. Of the loss, Cordell said, “It’s just so frustrating because we have so much talent (this year).” Sophomore Amber Smith’s frustration is apparent, “We don’t ‘deserve to win.’ We either win or we don’t, and we should have won.”
Up in Tacoma on Saturday, the Pios’ big girls in the middle dominated play. Shorb had 11 kills and 3 block assists. Her counterpart Christina Holloway, a senior from Hood River, powered in 8 kills, 2 solo blocks, and 2 block assists. Holloway leads the team in blocks with 47 and Shorb is on top of the kills department with 211.
After the disappointing performances on their long road trip, the Pioneers are looking to finish the season on a positive note. James commented, “We have a talented squad with a lot of confidence…we’re hoping to turn it around at the end of the season and power out with some wins.” Teammate Shorb added, “All the ability is there, we just need to put it all together.”
The Pios return to Pamplin Sports Center on Wednesday to match up against George Fox University and Saturday vs. Pacific University. Both games begin at 7:00 pm.
