2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsRoad trips long but necessary
Jeff Faust
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
After taking care of Northern Iowa and Bradley at home last weekend, the Lady Bears hit the road to take on another pair of conference foes.
Missouri State Volleyball takes on Indiana State tonight and then heads to Illinois State on Saturday.
Even though Indiana State (3-7) will probably not give Missouri State much trouble, traveling and playing the Illinois State Redbirds (10-3, 2-0 in conference) might just give the Lady Bears fits.
"We are ready for the weekend challenge. We always expect a battle against Illinois State," assistant coach Greg Brown said. "They always give us fits. Anyone can really win between the two of us."
Illinois State is one of only two teams in the Valley that has a winning record against Missouri State. Northern Iowa is the other.
Illinois State leads the all-time series, 37-35, although, Missouri State has taken control of the series in recent years winning 11 of the last 13.
Last season, the Redbirds and Bears took both matches to five games, each winning on the other's home court.
The other thing that might affect the Lady Bears this weekend could be the travel.
"This is my first road trip on the bus. I've never really taken a five-hour road trip like this before. It will be a test to see how we stay mentally prepared for the games with all the travel," freshman Cara Hackmann said.
Even though being on the road can wear down a team, the coaches try to make the trip as close to normal as they can.
"We try to keep everything as consistent as possible. We want everyone to remain healthy, so there is a lot of rest. We get in late but we let everyone sleep in," Brown said.
"We want the road to be boring but relaxed. We have found out over the years that the road ends up being less distracting than playing at home. Don't get me wrong though, it's always nice to come home and sleep in your own bed."
The Lady Bears will welcome back Nikki Vandepopulier this weekend. She was out last weekend with a concussion. She leads the team in digs and has at least 10 in 10 of her last 11 matches.
After last weekend's win against Northern Iowa, in the five set thriller, the Lady Bears are feeling really good about themselves.
"It was an amazing win against UNI. It really put us up on another level. It proved to us, and the rest of the league, that we can play against anyone in the conference," senior Katelyn Panzau said.
With their winning streak now at six games, the Lady Bears (11-2) have picked up 31 votes in the latest AVCA Top 25 poll. That makes Missouri State the 32nd best team in the nation and the best team in the Valley thus far.
Missouri State Volleyball takes on Indiana State tonight and then heads to Illinois State on Saturday.
Even though Indiana State (3-7) will probably not give Missouri State much trouble, traveling and playing the Illinois State Redbirds (10-3, 2-0 in conference) might just give the Lady Bears fits.
"We are ready for the weekend challenge. We always expect a battle against Illinois State," assistant coach Greg Brown said. "They always give us fits. Anyone can really win between the two of us."
Illinois State is one of only two teams in the Valley that has a winning record against Missouri State. Northern Iowa is the other.
Illinois State leads the all-time series, 37-35, although, Missouri State has taken control of the series in recent years winning 11 of the last 13.
Last season, the Redbirds and Bears took both matches to five games, each winning on the other's home court.
The other thing that might affect the Lady Bears this weekend could be the travel.
"This is my first road trip on the bus. I've never really taken a five-hour road trip like this before. It will be a test to see how we stay mentally prepared for the games with all the travel," freshman Cara Hackmann said.
Even though being on the road can wear down a team, the coaches try to make the trip as close to normal as they can.
"We try to keep everything as consistent as possible. We want everyone to remain healthy, so there is a lot of rest. We get in late but we let everyone sleep in," Brown said.
"We want the road to be boring but relaxed. We have found out over the years that the road ends up being less distracting than playing at home. Don't get me wrong though, it's always nice to come home and sleep in your own bed."
The Lady Bears will welcome back Nikki Vandepopulier this weekend. She was out last weekend with a concussion. She leads the team in digs and has at least 10 in 10 of her last 11 matches.
After last weekend's win against Northern Iowa, in the five set thriller, the Lady Bears are feeling really good about themselves.
"It was an amazing win against UNI. It really put us up on another level. It proved to us, and the rest of the league, that we can play against anyone in the conference," senior Katelyn Panzau said.
With their winning streak now at six games, the Lady Bears (11-2) have picked up 31 votes in the latest AVCA Top 25 poll. That makes Missouri State the 32nd best team in the nation and the best team in the Valley thus far.
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