Box Score Cardinal Stritch University Box Score Holy Names
January 25, 2008
ST CHARLES, MO- After falling to the St. Ambrose University Bees earlier this week, the Graceland Men’s Volleyball team looked to catch fire this weekend only to come up short against #5 Cardinal Stritch University (1-3: 29-31, 30-24, 28-30, 24-30) and Holy Names University (2-3: 30-27, 30-22, 35-37, 28-30, 7-15). The Yellowjackets (0-3: 0-0 MAMVIC WEST) took the court early Friday afternoon in search of their first win this season.
Opening the day against the #5 Wolves proved to be quite the challenge as the Yellowjackets were held to .134 hitting efficiency and only mustered up 1.75 blocks per game. After a slow start in Game 1, the Yellowjackets fought their way back to push the Wolves into a tight race at the end only to lose 29-31. Keeping up the momentum gained at the end of Game 1, Graceland started the second game quickly and defeated Stritch 30-24. The Yellowjackets struggled to control the pace in Games 3 and 4 falling 28-30, 24-30 and were left with a bitter taste for revenge later this season.
Junior middle hitter Joe Klein led the Yellowjackets hitting .316 (8 kills, 2 errors, 19 attempts) along with 1.125 blocks per game (2 solo, 3 assists). Sophomore outside hitter Dan Parish tallied 14 kills from the pin while junior Kevin Allison provided a strong defensive effort with 5 service aces and 11 digs. Senior Ainoa Miyashiro finished the match with 43 assists.
“We came out a little tentative but gained momentum as the match went on. Our ball control got better and better and gave us an opportunity to get in system,” Coach Chad McDole said. “Kevin and Dan were taking big swings for us and Joe stepped up and had a good blocking match. What I’m most happy about is I see us getting better each time we step on the floor, we’re getting smarter.”
“We were a complete different team from our first game. Intensity, communication, defense, all-around better game,” Allison said. “I think it’ll be even more different the next time around when we play them. Our team can only improve from here.”
Later that evening the Yellowjackets entered a 5-game grudge match from last year’s invitational against California-based Holy Names University. Consistent play gave Graceland an early two game lead but after an inspiring effort by the Hawks pushing Game 3 to a 37-35 victory in favor of Holy Names Graceland struggled to find consistency losing in the fifth game 7-15.
Hitting .305 with only 7 digs per game against the unranked Hawks, Graceland went swing for swing in Game 3 with 3 consecutive Allison kills from the outside along with several Parish kills until a Holy Names ace sealed the win. Inconsistency bred frustration for the Yellowjackets who tried to control the pace in Games 4 and 5 but the Hawks would not die quietly. After losing on a Parish hitting error in Game 4, the Yellowjackets roared out of the gate in Game 5 with a Parish ace but fell behind 4-8 at the switch and watched Holy Names cruise to a 15-7 win.
“When we were in system we’re unstoppable,” McDole said. “I wish we could have got Joe Klein more involved. He could have helped us but Kevin and Dan carried the team and Calsen Agrade did some good things that were impressive for a freshmen. Ainoa got into a rhythm and made good choices and ran a good offense.”
Miyashiro ended the match with 57 assists setting up Allison to hit an impressive .410 (22 kills, 6 errors, 49 attempts) as well as freshmen outside Calsen Agrade to hit .320 (13 kills, 5 errors, 25 attempts). Senior middle hitter Austin Isham put up a solid wall at the net ending with 1 solo block and 3 block assists to lead the team.
“It was amazing to see how much improvement our team has made over the past week. I hope we can keep making more adjustments,” Klein said. Despite the frustrating third consecutive loss, Graceland has indeed shown signs of improvement, even from the match earlier in the day.
“I think were going to do better because we’ve seen the teams we’re playing tomorrow,” freshmen opposite hitter and defensive specialist Rollin Olaso said. “We’ll come out strong and play hard. We have some chances for big wins. I’d like to say hi to mom and dad. Hi mom. Hi dad.”
Allison led the way for the Yellowjackets on the first day of the tournament with 32 kills, 7 aces and 18 digs. Parish barely edged Allison with 33 kills. Klein was the top-swing overall for Graceland with a .333 efficiency (21 kills, 7 errors, 42 attempts). Miyashiro finished the day reaching the century-mark in assists. The Yellowjackets were outscored 241-246 in the overall box score in their day one losses.
“I’m excited about tomorrow because we’re going to play a top-seeded team and we’re going to be able to figure out how we match up. Playing better competition is going to make us step up and play our game and we’ll be able to see who we really are,” McDole said.
The second day of the ninth annual invitational tournament starts at 11:30 am for the Yellowjackets when they face the Royals of Warner Southern College followed by the #4 Missouri Baptist University Spartans at 3:30 pm in the Lindenwood University field house.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
