If the Wolfpack volleyball team’s loss to Millsaps College was any indication of how the rest of the season will play out, then learning the fundamentals of volleyball isn’t the only thing the team needs to focus on.

It’s learning to play in tough situations down the stretch.

“I think our problem is mental because we already knew we lost to them last time, so it’s like ‘oh no, we’re playing them again,’ so we’re already thinking we need to come out and play harder,” Sam Worsham, political science freshman said.

Serving and receiving is another aspect of the game Tommy Harold, head coach says the team needs to continue to improve on.

“Serve and serve receive is something we always work on, but at some point it’s not ability, it’s just the mental aspect of handling the pressure and going back to doing our job,” he said.

“We hit some points where we got a little flustered and went away from our system and our offense. We have to get better at that, and again, trust what we’re doing.”

The Lady Wolfpack lost this match in a similar way as they did their previous one.
 In both occasions, they lost the first game, won the second, won the third and then dropped the final two games.

“They just match up well with us. They have some big right sides and we run a lot of offense through our outsides,” Harold said.

“But, really it’s just a matter of being disciplined and making plays in crunch time and we’re still learning how to do that.”

Another aspect they have to deal with is overcoming their nerves so they can perform under hostile situations late in games. But this is a young team, with seven freshmen, and no seniors so this comes within time.

“You have to perform under pressure, I don’t think we’re there yet, though and I don’t know if we had the poise that we need at this point,” he said.

“I think if we’re a little more composed we’re able to close out that match in the fourth game. We missed a serve on match point, and that just can’t happen.”

Despite the fact that they are freshmen, they are still contributing significantly to the team. Both Worsham, the setter, and Ashley Abendschein, music business freshman, and team middle blocker and outside hitter, are getting significant playing time.

They are stepping in to fill the holes left by graduates, Sarah Howard and Mary Seals.
Worsham has racked up 408 assists and Abendschein has 116 kills to go along with 118 kills from Gill.

Nerves are something that is getting in the way of them being able to finish off opponents, according to Gill.

“Millsaps is always pretty even with our team, competitionwise, so it depends on who can finish the whole game. They just took it this time,” she said.

“Next time we play them, we’re just going to have to fight harder and take it, because they are a good team, but so are we,” Gill said. 

Eduardo Gonzalez can be reached at [email protected]