2008 Woodie Awards
Losing Streak Ends
Jose Ortiz
Issue date: 9/16/04 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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Kean University might have dominated the first game of four that took place in the Panzer gym Tuesday night, but the Red Hawk's volleyball team bounced back with 30-22, 30-20, and 34-32 post wins, snapping their nine-match losing streak and advancing the team with an overall record of 4-10.
This was the first time since 1998 that the Red Hawk's were able to defeat Kean University.
Kean University quickly took advantage of MSU's mishaps and faulty errors, placing them at a comfortable lead in the first game. With the ball just out of arm's reach or the team not breaking fast enough, it seemed that this game (and the next three) could be a possible repeat of the MSU/Rutgers-Newark game, a disappointing slaughter due to communication mishaps and bad serves.
Instead, finishing the second game 30-22, the Red Hawks showed that they were capable of making a win. Senior hitter Tiffany Aciz, who posted 16 kills and 12 digs in the four games, says that the team is starting to work together and "really starting to communicate better." Perhaps this is the difference shown between game one and the following ones.
With the match set in favor of the Red Hawks at 2-1, Red Hawk sophomore started game four gaining three aces and eventually picking up the score 6-4. There was an obvious separating factor between the games against Kean the preceding loss against Rugers-Newark. Aciz adds that, "the line play was different." Whether the change worked could be questioned. For instance, once the Red Hawks increased their net defense it left open the middle and back end of the court, and gave Kean the lead in the fourth game 17-18. A kill made by Livingston took the Red Hawks back into the lead 20-18.
Massive block and net defense keeps MSU in the game 27-25. A final kill by Livingston gives the Red Hawks the satisfaction of their first win in the NJAC conference.
Sophomore hitter Heather Aciz came up with 13 kills, 11 digs and four aces in game totals. Sophomore hitter Kelly McGuire added 11 digs and four blocks to the totals. Racking up 11 assists and 11 digs was sophomore hitter Elyse Grywalski, while Asia Livingston ended up with seven kills, digs and three aces.
Leading the Cougars was sophomore hitter Elizabeth Cougar with nine kills, five aces and 15 digs. MSU dominated Kean with 46 kills compared to their 28. However, Kean towered over the Red Hawks in digs with a 103 compared to 63. This showed Kean's stability, endurance and commitment to keeping the ball off of their turf, though MSU persevered in the end.