Roadrunner set for new season, new challenges

This past weekend the Roadrunners started their season playing in the Rice Invitational I. They won their tournament opener against Mississippi 3-2, but then fell 2-3 to Rice and 1-3 to Texas Tech.

The results weren't exactly favorable, but the Roadrunners still have 11 games to look forward to before Conference play starts.  That means that there is time to fix weaknesses, work on strengths and gain confidence.

So far these past three games have shown a mix of accomplishments and shortcommings for the runners. 

In their first game, the team was able to overcome a two-set Mississippi lead for a come-from-behind victory.  In the same game sophomore Kelsey Schwirtlich made her debut at the setter position.  Schwirtlich had 59 assists in her first game, which is also the most sets by a player in a single game since 2007.

In their second match against Rice UTSA squandered a 2-1 lead that led to a come-from-behind victory for Rice.

Finishing games has been a point of concern for the team.

Last season the Roadrunners had four five-set losses. In two of those losses the Roadrunners had a two- set lead that evaporated by the fifth set, and once again the team would find itself on the losing end. 

"It comes with confidence," head coach Laura Groff said in regards to the team becoming a more concrete finishing team.  "I think that the lack of finishing sometimes is just a lack of faith and believing that you can do that."

One of the players, Senior Outside Hitter Kendra Rowland, is already confident in the team's abilities.

"I really do think that this year we really have a chance to take the whole tournament, and get into the NCAA for once," Rowland said.

Rowland is one of four returning seniors, another being Briana Mason.  Both provide a core foundation for the team. 

Rowland led the team in kills last season with 324 while Mason was pivotal on defense with a total of 94 blocks. Her performance combined with that of Briana Mason were critical to  the Roadrunners all of last season.

Since most of the players from last season have returned, they are well aware of what they have to work on to be a better team. 

One of the areas is blocking. Last season the Roadrunners were beaten by their opponents in blocking solos and assists.  The team also had 21 more ball-handling errors than their opponents.

 The team also has to work on attacks. Last season the team committed 674 attack errors, 105 more than their opponents.

However, the addition of five players, although new to the college game, are still an important part of the team.

These five new players add a couple of stregths for the Roadrunners this season. 

The new players add height.  This undoubtedly will make them better both offensively and defensively.

With the extra height, the Roadrunners can be more efficient at the net and be able to block more kill attempts.

Secondly, the team has at least three players at each position, which gives them depth. Now if the team has a very deep bench, they can call on a bench player to come in when there's an injury. 

The Roadrunners still have a long way to go before the season, but they seem to be on the right track.

"When you have a good team chemistry and you believe in each other then you can just go all out and be a stronger team, and an individual" Groff said.