Volleyball Team Struggles, But Plays Hard in 2005

Nov. 8 , 2005

The Falcon volleyball team wrapped up its season last week in a WIAC playoff game against UW-Whitewater. After a 17-18 overall season including 2-6 in the WIAC they were seeded No. 8 and traveled to play No. 1 seeded UW-Whitewater on their home court Tuesday night. The Falcons lost in three games, 30-14, 30-22, and 30-28.  

"From the look of our record one would be compelled to say that we had a bad season, however if you look deeply into the teams we played and competed against, I would say we didn't lose to anyone that we shouldn't have," said Falcon Coach Patti Ford. The Falcons played 12 regionally ranked and 10 nationally ranked teams in 2005. Five of those nationally ranked teams were from the WIAC. Four WIAC teams received berths into the NCAA Div. III national tournament.

The Falcons started their season with a very back and forth record. In both the Elmhurst and Illinois Wesleyan tournaments they left with records of 2-2 so it was difficult to say what this Falcon team would do. "Our schedule was tough, we played many talented teams and competed well," said Ford.

The Falcons had a hard time on the road this season in WIAC play, finishing undefeated at home, but losing all of their road matches. They started their conference season with two losses, the first at UW-Platteville in three games then at UW-La Crosse after a long fought battle in five games. They re-grouped in time to take on UW-Stout for their first home conference match, where they marked their first WIAC win in three games. They suffered two more road losses when they fell to UW-Superior in five games, and to UW-Whitewater in four. Their second win came from their second home match against UW-Stevens Point defeating them in three games for Parents and Seniors Day. Their final conference loss came at UW-Eau Claire where they fell in three games.  

The Falcons finished their regular season with the Trick or Treat Tournament at the Karges Center. They finished 2-2 defeating both Northwestern and nationally ranked St. Thomas, but losing to Bethel and Eau Claire. Kate Thompson was the only Falcon named to the All-Tournament Team.

Setter and outside hitter Kat Krtnick and middle hitter Andrea Geehan both earned places on the All-WIAC team. Outside hitter Thompson earned honorable mention to the squad. All three earned honorable mention to the All-WIAC team in 2004.

Geehan led the Falcons in kills (467), hitting percentage (.300) and blocks (29 solo, 104 total). Krtnick led the team in assists (1,067) and was second in aces (50) and digs (396). She finished the year with 178 kills. Thompson was second in kills (453) and hitting percentage (.210). She led the Falcons in aces (53) and was third in digs (391) and blocks (13 solo, 52 total). Libero Lindsey Mace led the Falcons in digs (510).

Ford is optimistic about her team's future. "This team will be prepared for what lies ahead of them for the 2006 season. The lessons learned from this season will not have an ending until they begin to prepare for the next season. We have all the tools to be a top team in the always tough WIAC."   The Falcons return every starter from this year's team and will have eight seniors on the roster.