Turning the tables on the second place Friends Falcons Monday night in
Hillsboro, the Tabor College volleyball team extended its record in
conference games to 13-1 with five matches left in its regular season.
Friends dominated the middle section of the five-game battle of will,
but the Bluejays found a way to win (25-18, 17-25, 13-25, 25-21, 19-17).
After the Bluejays delivered a slightly lopsided win in the opening
set, the Falcons turned the tables in the second game. Coach Amy Ratzlaff said most of the damage was self-inflicted.
"We had numerous unforced errors in game two that just took us out of
our game," she said. "It took us some time to get our feet back under us, but once
we cut out our errors we began to play more like ourselves."
Tabor
ultimately shrugged off the third game?one of the most forgettable sets
they have put together this season.
"These games are good for us because they push us mentally and also
help
us realize what areas we need to work on in the final days of season,"
Ratzlaff said. "The team is very motivated to reach their potential and
we were able to
see what areas need addressed."
When the Bluejays buckled down midway through the fourth game, Friends began to buckle.
"The fourth game started out much the same as the second and third,"
she said. "We would score a few and let a few drop. About a third of
the way through the fourth game the team really made a decision to play
as hard as they could and to follow the game plan.? It made a big
difference and several players really stepped their game up."
After leading early in the fifth, the Bluejays allowed Friends to rally for a 14-14 tie.?
"We began the fifth game on fire but let our guard down at about
10," Ratzlaff said. "After some aggressive serves and defense we were
able to battle to the win. The game tonight was a great win for us.? After battling that long and hard it is so good to have a "W" to show for it."
Five Bluejays recorded one or more kills per game: Tina Frick (17 kills), Ashley Cohlmia (12), Carly Kroeker
(9), Gina Hullet (7) and Courtney Janzen (5). Mandi Phillips averaged 10.4 assists per game.
Coming?Tabor (13-1, 16-8 overall) plays Bethel (10-3, 13-12) Wednesday
and two matches in a triangular with Oklahoma Baptist and Bethany (6-8,
9-20) Saturday morning in Lindsborg.
Then, on Tuesday (Nov. 5), the Bluejays get their chance to avenge the
only loss they have suffered at the hands of a conference opponent when
Ottawa (6-7, 11-17) travels to Hillsboro.
