During the Lady Lions volleyball team’s last home game, the team experienced their 14th consecutive loss of the season.
The match against Stephen F. Austin State University on Oct. 28 left the team without winning a single set and ending with a final score of 3-0. With four away matches remaining this season, the team’s conference record is currently 0-12.
The result of this match kept Stephen F. Austin’s (23-5, 11-1 Southland) hold on first place in the Southland Conference standing while the game’s outcome meant that the Lady Lions were officially eliminated from postseason consideration. Even if they win the next four matches, the team will not qualify for playoffs this season.
The first set of the game started off with high intensity from the team. The Lady Lions wore matching green bows to boost team morale. Despite their determination in the first set, Head Coach Jim Smoot described the negative mindset of the team going into the game.
“This was probably the first time that we went into a match thinking that we really didn’t have a chance to compete,” said Smoot. “That’s the first time I’ve seen that this season.”
Despite the low morale of the team, they remained resilient throughout the match. The Lady Lions were able to return some receives with sophomore Savannah Alcazar responding with six kills. Defensively, freshman Tempestt Vaughn had four blocks. However, they lost the first set 25-14. After losing the first set, the team could not regain their foot and lost the last two sets with scores of 25-11 and 25-18.
Smoot believes that the long match on Thursday did not help prepare the team’s mentality for their final home game.
“I think it’s just that we had moments where we played really well, and then a couple of things would go wrong and we got down,” said Smoot.
Smoot discussed what he believes the team needs to work on.
“It’s just been, in general this year, our blocking is not as strong as it could be, and that’s something we will continue to work on,” said Smoot. “We’ve made changes in line ups. As far as who’s on the floor, we’ve tried several different things. We have had several moments where we could have won. We just let it slip through our fingers. Unfortunately it just worked out that way.”
Smoot wishes to work on improving each member’s skills individually for the upcoming match on Nov. 2 against Nicholls State University who is seeded 2-10 in the conference.
“I think this is a good opportunity for us to pick up a win, and we go in there with the attitude that we had most of the season and just go after it and be able to sustain it,” said Smoot. “I think we will be in good shape,”