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Oles travel to River Falls for final tournament

Le Ann Finger
November 4, 2002

Wrapping up the regular season play, the Oles travelled to River Falls, WI for a final tournament before play-off begin within their MIAC conference. The purpose of this tournament for the St. Olaf Volleyball team was to piece together the final touches of teamwork and what it is to compete at a high level.

The teams that challenged the Oles truly tried their abilities. Unfortunately St. Olaf went 1-3 in the tournament. Though the team couldn't bring home the wins, perhaps what they brought instead is more valuable.

Going into this week's competition in the semi-finals for the MIAC Tournament, what the girls need more than anything is determination. Pre-season polls put the Oles in the running for the low seeding of fourth place; the team was never once convinced that their destiny would be fourth in the MIAC. Playing above expectation takes one characteristic as a team: determination. The UW-River Falls "Trick or Treat" Tournament gave the Oles a gut check. On Friday, Nov. 1st, playing the 5th ranked team in the nation, UW-River Falls, first took the wind out of the team's sails. UW-River Falls did not let up on the Oles as they battled back and forth, point for point, and it was only a few mental errors that led to an 0-3 match (26-30, 17-30, 22-30).

With one more match for the evening the team wanted more from their own performance and that is what happened. Illinios College fell to St. Olaf 30-23, 30-20, 30-20. Going into day #2 on Sat., Nov. 2nd, the oles match up with UW-Stout, another solid team in the WIAC. Unable to connect and come together as a team, the Oles fell short hit for hit. Mental errors in offense and serve receive from the Oles caused unrest within the team and a loss of 26-30, 22-30, 26-30.

The very next match pitted the team against UW-Eau Claire and doomed the Oles to fall once again, 24-30, 24-30, and 25-30. What could be taken as a very negative weekend for St. Olaf Volleyball is not the case at all. Not only does this 1-3 weekend not effect their chances for the National Tournament, but the team has also rallied together rather than falling apart.

The Oles feel there is something to prove, something to be said about an underdog team. This week the girls will begin and finish the MIAC Tournament with no burden and no target on their backs. The title is still theirs for the taking and the team wants it bad. The Oles say it is not the victory they want, it is the chance to continue the season and continue to play together. Through determination, they have strengthened their team.

With this attitude the Oles will play on Friday against the winner of #3 ranked Bethel College vs. #6 ranked St. Mary's University (playing each other Tues., Nov. 5th). The Oles could use a good crowd of St. Olaf support on Friday, Nov. 8th at 5:30 pm at St. Thomas University--come to cheer the girls to a championship title.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3315 or finger@stolaf.edu.