Road-Weary Eagles Anxious to Return Home to Play on Remodeled Court for First Time

The Faith volleyball team traveled over 1,000 miles this weekend in search of MCCC conference wins. The Eagles' 2019 schedule has been filled with a number of NCAA opponents and ranked NCCAA teams prior to this weekend.  The Eagles were given an opportunity to meet to finally play an unranked conference foe against the Barclay College Bears.  

Faith started out strong taking a lead in set one of 23-20.  Turnovers and the inability to make opportunity plays seized the set win for the Bears at 25-23.  In set two, the Eagles led throughout much of the set only to fall, with set three finding the Eagles with lack of consistency and offensive attack. 

"We did not play well at Barclay, but credit given to the Bears. We were really flat, had the wrong team mindset, and those two factors contributed to our loss. We cannot ever enter a contest without genuine heart and enthusiasm," noted coach Nihart.

Faith then traveled to Manhattan, Kansas to take on nationally ranked NCCAA member Manhattan Christian College for their second conference match of the weekend and year.  The Eagles did a much better job with team approach and preparedness.  The Eagles took short leads during the course of set one, however falling just short 25-21.  "We did a really good job of responding from Friday's night game.  We are not accepting that as a moral victory, it is to be expected of our play.  Effort was the key and the team showed they can play hard and efficient when they choose," noted Nihart.  

Set two found Faith down 17-4 with a reverse to untimely errors and lack of defensive positioning.  The Eagles retaliated in set three by again demonstrating the ability to choose to play hard, with a more respectable loss.

"While all teams experience difficulties, our team has fought through unusual adversities this year.  I give credit to the ladies for coming to work every day under difficult decisions.  We have continued to look at the life of Joshua and his character and leadership traits!  We do not accept our current state and will continue with heart and minds desire to improve over the course of our season.  There remains a regular-season MCCC conference and season tournament to be attained.  I am confident this group will find the wherewithal to attain higher results," noted coach Nihart.

The Eagles have a busy week.  They entertain NCAA DIII Grinnell College on Monday, September 23rd at 7 pm.  The match will be the first true home match for the Eagles on the newly installed gym floor.  On Tuesday, the Eagles entertain NAIA foe Iowa Wesleyan.  The Eagles return to conference play on Friday against Calvary Bible College and Saturday against Ozark Christian College during the annual high school volleyball tournament hosted by Faith.