Lady Eagle's Volleyball Falls in Championship Match

Lady Eagle's Volleyball Falls in Championship Match

Team Stats

November 15, 2013
The Faith volleyball team reached their goal to place themselves in the position to advance to the NCCAA National Tournament.  The Eagles fell just short losing to long time nemesis Providence College University from Otterburne, Manitoba in the North Central Region Championship 3-0. 
 
After losing set one 25-14 the Eagles demonstrated resiliency in set two by taking a 20-13 commanding lead.  However, Providence made several runs and tied the score at 23.  With each team gaining a side out the Eagles fell 26-24.  "At that point we were dissapointed in the set loss.  We still believed we could pull out the match victory.  I thought the team showed great determination especially after a long Friday night", cited coach Lanny Nihart.
 
Faith struggled at times in set three defending Providence's strong attack and lost the set and match 25-19.  Senior Julia Rocha led Faith with 16 kills and became the all time kills leader in Eagle history.  "Julia did a great job leading us offensively this year.  She certainly deserves all the accolades coming her way.  It is going to be very difficult to replace her and Natalie (Bunjer) next year" noted Nihart.
 
The Eagles reached the championship via double elimination play by defeating North Central University in a semi-final playff 3-1.  Rocha again led the Eagles with 21 kills and received contribution from sophomore JoJo Hodak with 11 kills and 20 digs and setter Stephanie Kmupp with a season high 50 assists.  "After a long Friday night our team could have quit with the more rested NCU team, but they stayed together and reached the championship, and I am very proud of that effort," cited Nihart.  
 
Faith defeated host Trinity Bible College 3-1 in their opener and then met Providence on Friday night in quarter finals.  Again, the Eagles started slow losing by identical 25-17 scores.  Not to be done the Eagles rebounded with a 25-23 win and entered set four with confidence.  Faith controlled much of the match only to be outdone 28-26.  Roacha had 14 kills while sophomore Kim Post added 14 kills and 27 digs.
 
"The Friday night quarter final match is the most important in the double elimination.  We had an opportunity and we gave it our best effort.  We will have a good core of ladies back next year and will start over with our goal being the National Tournament" said Nihart.
 
Julia Rocha was elected as Co-MVP of the Region while junior setter Stephanie Knupp was elected as the #3 player.  JoJo Hodak was elected as the #7 player in the 10 member team.  Faith finished their year at 20-15.