The women’s volleyball team has transitioned into this season quite well, with last year’s entire team returning and the addition of two freshmen, Shauna Meagher and Anna O’Hara.
Last year’s season was quite interesting not having any seniors on the team, but this year there are four seniors: Dominique Aramburu, Jessica Galotta, Marie Hackert, and Kelli Shaffer.
One of the team’s most exceptional matches this season was against William Penn University on August 29.
The Cougars won all three sets of the SXU/TCC Crossover Tournament by a substantial amount (25-7, 25-16, 25-19), making it their second win of the season.
The team has 26 more games to play before the first round of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament on Nov. 11.
This gives the girls ample time to continue to establish camaraderie and get their momentum going.
“Everyone is meshing well together,” said sophomore Erica Harris who plays as a setter and a defensive specialist. Harris has the third highest number of digs on the team.
According to Harris, last year was a little more difficult in terms of building good chemistry, calling it a “building year.”
However, everything started coming together at the end of last year, despite them being a “young team” and losing five starters the year before.
“This season has picked up right where last season had left off,” said Harris.
Head coach Robert Heersema agrees that the girls are in the right place.
“Last season we finished right where we needed to be. The team played hard and stayed healthy throughout the season. We finished right where we belonged,” he said.
This sense of continuity from last year to this year has allowed for a stronger foundation for the freshmen on the team. They have a better idea of what the team is all about and how they play together.
The ladies worked especially hard last spring in order to hit the ground running this season.
This has all proven true as evident by the team’s current record, which is almost equal in wins and losses.
There is agreement amongst the girls about who the team to beat is and what the best games of the season are.
Cardinal Stritch is viewed as a great game because of the rivalry between them and Saint Xavier. The Wolves eliminated the lady Cougars from the playoffs last year when they beat them in all three sets (25-16, 25-19, 25-16) on November 12.
“This year I know we have improved greatly and expect to beat [Cardinal Stritch] this time around. I see them as our biggest threat because it would be a great accomplishment to beat last year’s conference champions,” said junior right side hitter Meghan Falsey. Falsey currently leads in points per set.
Another opponent that stands out to the team and the coach is the University of Saint Francis.
According to Heersema, Saint Xavier and Saint Francis have “a long history.”
The Fighting Saints are a “long-standing rivalry for our program,” said Falsey.
However, that is not to say that all other games are not going to be exciting or important. Each game can make all the difference for the Cougars, especially when it is a conference game.
Heersema, who is coaching his 28th season at Saint Xavier, appreciates what each game brings.
“In our north division all the teams pose a threat, and that’s what we want,” said Heersema. “We want to battle every night; we want to be forced to play at our highest level.”
Setting goals for this season is also a vital part to the team’s success.
“I would like to see this group finish in the top three of our half of the conference and be well above .500 in the crossover matches with a strong finish in the conference tourney,” said Heersema.
The possibility of being conference champions is also on everyone’s mind. Falsey’s goals “for this season include helping the team to a conference championship and making it to nationals.” Harris’ thoughts are along the same lines.
“Our goals for this season are to play as a team and keep working hard to make it to playoffs again this year and hopefully win our conference,” said Harris.
It is also evident that these goals are not unattainable for the volleyball team. They have gotten far in the past, as recent as last year, and the fact that these girls know who to beat will allow them to prepare properly and go far.
Next, the girls play at home on Tuesday at 7 p.m. They will be taking on Trinity International University’s Trojans in a conference match.
Alexis Flamburis
Sports Contributor
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