VOLLEYBALL: Lady Apaches begin at 5 - 3
By Erin Breyne
Apache Sports Writer
The Lady Apache volleyball team is at 5 – 3 overall, 1 – 0 in the conference, and coach Laura Polte has high hopes for her team this year, especially in the games coming up against DuPage on September 14 and the Lincoln Spoon River Tri on the 16th.
“It’s hard to tell what the competition is going to do,” coach Polte said. “ I’m hoping we can play well this week and I’m looking forward to seeing how the other teams play.”
Polte said one of the strong points for this team is that all but two of the women have played with her previously in either club ball or during high school.
Another strong point, according to Polte, is that “a lot of the kids can move around in the front row and we have two great setters.”
On the other side, Polte said the team lack consitency.: “Consistency is a weakness we have, but what coach can’t say that.”
On Aug. 31 the Lady Apaches started off their season in the Waubonsee Tri, winning the game against Waubonsee 15-8, 13-15, and 15-11. In the next game, against Harper College, they lost 15-8 and 15-11.
On Sept. 6, against Black Hawk, the women won their first game of the conference season, 15-5, 15-12, 13-15, and 15-13.
On Sept. 7, the Lady Apaches had moments of brilliance, but fell to a strong defensive Joliet team 15-8, 15-8, 15-11. The Apaches struggled with errors and serving, but they pulled together and ran their offense well at times.
The Apaches have a strong backbone this year, Polte said, which includes Lesley Senica and Lindsey Sharpe.
Senica is a 6’0” freshman who was recruited from LaSalle Peru High School. She averages 3.43 kills per game and has had 79 kills in 23 games this season.
Sharpe, also a freshman, is capable of hitting outside and plays back row.
“We’d like people to watch us and come support us and see what volleyball at the college level is really all about,” the coach said.