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Printer-Friendly ModeVolleyball team misses shot at playoffs against Northern
October 30, 2006 —
The Cardinals' playoff hopes were dashed in Marquette Sunday when the team dropped three straight games to Northern Michigan, 30-22, 30-21, and 30-25.
With a 6-11 record in conference play heading into the game, the team's GLIAC postseason chances hinged on a victory over Northern. Unfortunately for the Cards, they were unable to capture the same magic they used to beat the Wildcats earlier in the year and were eliminated from contention.
The Cards were hampered in part by a balanced Wildcats attack that featured four players with double-digit kill totals. On the afternoon, Northern managed 59 kills to the Cardinals' 41 and hit .275 for the match. In comparison, during the Cardinals 3-0 victory over Northern on Sept. 16, the Wildcats hit only .077 in tallying 43 kills.
Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Redoute paced the Cards offensively with 13 kills on the afternoon while senior outside hitter Suzanne Beaver tallied 12 kills and 13 digs in her final game in a Cardinals uniform.
Though just missing out on the playoffs with Sunday's loss, the Cardinals did find something to celebrate during their win over Lake Superior State Friday. The Cards' 3-1 victory over the Lakers ensured the team's first winning season since 1998. The team's 14-13 record is a stark contrast to last season, when the team finished 8-23 overall. The Cardinals' six conference victories also surpassed last year's total, when the team managed only two wins in GLIAC play.
Freshman outside hitter Allison Schlinkert had the game of her short career in helping the Cardinals secure a winning record, tallying 22 kills and 14 digs. Beaver also posted a solid game, recording 14 kills of her own to go along with her 14 digs.
The Cardinals victory celebration was a short lived one, though, as they faced Michigan Tech Saturday.
Though the Cards dropped the first two games 30-20 and 30-18, they managed a 30-25 victory in game three to stay alive. But the Huskies eventually proved too strong, taking both game four and the match with a 30-27 victory.
Redoute and junior outside hitter Danielle Dryer led the way offensively with 13 kills in the match. Sophomore Carmen Schacher had 16 digs on the defensive end.