Rollins Libero, Collyn Welsch shines with record breaking performance, but the tars fail to set the tone, notching their first game in the loss column.
The Tars volleyball team lost their first game on Wednesday, September 18th to Warner University after 5 sets. Coming into the match, the Tars were 8 to 0, undefeated after playing in tournaments at Nova Southeastern University and the University of Northern Alabama.
Wednesday was the Tars’ first home game, and the loss was a heartbreaker. Coming out slow in the first set, the Tars hardly beat the Warner University Royals 26 to 24, falling during the second and third games, winning the fourth, and losing a close fifth set at 13 to 15.
Although the loss was a hard one, there were a few silver linings. Middle blocker Camille Indest ‘14 was congratulated before the game by the head coach, Sindee Snow and the rest of the Tars for her thousandth career kill at Rollins, which she achieved over the weekend at the tournament at the University of Northern Alabama. Indest is a major asset to the Tars, and the 1000 kill achievement is especially remarkable for her, as her position usually doesn’t get as many hitting opportunities. However difficult it may be, Indest has a special talent for getting up and winning points for theTars, and had 13 kills Wednesday night.
Another milestone achieved during the game Wednesday was junior libero Collyn Welsch’s record-setting 41 digs in one match. She surpassed the former record of a 37 set by Kim Cline in 2007. Welsch is an equally vital and yet completely different asset to the Tars compared to Indest, playing lightening-fast defense and creating opportunities out of “hustle plays” left and right.
Other noteworthy players during Wednesday’s match were Ruth Harrington who had 13 kills, Kelly Meredith and Jess Wilson, who each had 12 kills, and Katlyn Sawyer with 10 kills. Harrington also chipped in 26 digs while Sawyer added 10.
Setters MaryEllen Pole and April Jackson worked hard throughout the match, contributing many serving aces as well as some one-handed jump sets to save tight passes. Freshman defensive specialist Jess McKelvey stepped up for the Tars and played spot-on defense in the absence of senior defensive specialist Christina Carracino who was injured and did not dress for the game Wednesday night. Aroon Duncanson added key blocks to the Tars’ effort, taking turns at right side and outside hitter.
The Tars continue their season with two home games over the weekend, one against Barry University on Friday September 27th at 7:00, and one against Florida Tech on Saturday September 28th at 4:00.
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