Women Fall in Championship Match
The Faith volleyball team ventured north this past weekend to Providence University College of Manitoba, Canada, to participate in the North Central Regional Tournament championship. While the weather was cold and snowy outside the team managed to...
The Faith volleyball team ventured north this past weekend to Providence University College of Manitoba, Canada, to participate in the North Central Regional Tournament championship. While the weather was cold and snowy outside the team managed to reach the pinnacle championship round on Saturday. After eliminating #2 seed Trinity Bible College earlier in the day, the Eagles advanced to play #1 Providence University College in the first championship match of the double elimination tournament. Providence dominated the Eagles with a strong attack and took sets one and two by the scores of 20-12 and 20-7. Faith was able to muster energy and determination in set three taking short leads and getting within 20-18 before falling 25-20. "They are a strong team but I was proud of our team hanging in there and working to the end. Providence was attacking the ball well and with their height advantage we could have given up, but we did not and I think that was our true team work ethic," noted Nihart. "I was proud of our team through the whole year and the fact they found a way to get to the regional championship match".
The effort was demanding throughout the weekend as the Eagles found themselves in a first round tussle on Friday with #2 seed Trinity Bible College. Both the Eagles and Lions assumed control of the match at different times only to find themselves in a set five. Faith started strong in set one taking quick leads when Trinity suffered an ankle injury to top hitter Camille Foster. "We were actually playing very well up to the point Camille suffered her injury. I know our team was concerned for her and I don't think we lost our focus as opposed to the Trinity team rallied together and gave a great effort." cited coach Nihart. Trinity pushed the match to set five, however with Faith leading 11-8 it appeared the Eagles would move on to play #1 Providence University in the semi-finals and the right to advance to the championship on Saturday without a loss. However, Trinity had different ideas and managed to steal set five and the win. "I think it was a case of illustrating how athletes resopnd in adversity. I give their players and coach credit they really repsponded well." noted Nihart. With the loss the Eagles awaited the outcome of the Providence/Trinity match to play on Saturday morning in a tournament elimination match.
Providence was able to caputre a 3-1 victory creating a rematch with Faith and Trinity. The Eagles began the second match with Trinity by defeating the Lions in the first two sets with a quiet confidence. Once again the Lions found a way to be resilient pushing the match to a set five by winning the next two sets. In the final set Faith grabbed leads of 6-1 and 13-7 finishing the match and win at 15-7. "It was a comforting feeling to be able to find a way to win and not end our year in a tough loss. The ladies did a great job of remaining mentally strong when they could have remembered what happened the day before."
Faith middle hitter Julia Bray was selected to the first team All North Central Region team, setter Stephanie Knupp and Libero Rikki Powell received 2nd team honors. Powell also received the North Cental Region Libero of the Year Award. "Awards are great and certainly deserved, what awards cannot recognize is the leadership of our captains, Julia, Rikki and Ariel and the heart of our team." cited Nihart. "This team did a great job of upholding the testament of our program". The Eagles end their 2012 campaign with a 18-14 record.
