The women’s volleyball team defeated Utah State University-Eastern last night in a hard earned game where they broke the tied games 2-2 by scoring 17-15.
In the first game, the Cardinals took the game 25-18 with a stronger amount of attacks and rigid blocking. Card’s number four Brittany Aldridge had a large amount of well placed spikes and also ended the game with one.
The second game got down to the line with several back and forth tying points that were barely hit in and out. The Eagles caught up with the cardinals to tie 9-9 when several of their attacks were just barely in and made the receiving and blocking a hard call for the Cardinals.
The scoring went back and forth until both teams were tied 26-26 and the Eagles scored after a rally that left the Card’s middle compromised, and then game point 26-28 when the Cards hit the ball over the net and it was just barely outside the line.
The third game was similar to the last, but both teams fought for the tie-breaking game. Both team’s skilled players kept it going back and forth in a continually equalizing score, until the cards lost the game by hitting the ball twice in succession for 25-27.
The Cardinals brought the games to a 2-2 tie in another vigorous battle where their attacks made them victorious 25-11.
“We have a really good mental mindset. We get down but there are some key players that pick us back up and we just get back on it,” Aldridge said, “We’re always aggressive and attacking no matter what. Even if the set is not on perfectly, we just swing away.”
In the last game, the playing intensified with stronger attacks and longer, more desperate rallies. The Cardinals broke into the lead with a well aimed spike for 15-14 and a lot of the crowd came down from the bleachers and stood on the sidelines, cheering in excitement.
Once again, the lady Cardinal’s attacking won the game 17-15, and ultimately the match.
“We’re a fresh team [only have three returners] and its going to take a long time for us to get glued together,” Aldridge stated, “But today proves that just because we have young players doesn’t mean that we can’t stick it out with the rest of the teams. So I’m happy and excited to see what this year brings for us.”
