Lady Spartan Spikers

By: Kala Lindley

The 2010 Lady Spartan Spikers, who earned the fourth seed in post season play got under way Tuesday, October 19th as they hosted the fifth seed Medford Raiders.

The Spartans opened up the night with a 25-16 win in the first game. However, the Raiders were quick to come back with a 25-16 win in the second game. The Lady Spartans regained their lead in the third game, with a close 25-23 win. As for the fourth game, Medford was able to show their ability to stick with the Spartans by taking the game at a score of 26-24. With just one game left, the girls knew what had to be done. Erin Murray, junior setter for the Spartans, stated, “I wasn’t nervous, because I had confidence in the team and we have been in this position before during the Aquinas game.”

Despite the butterflies, the girls put on a good performance in the fifth game (16-14) and won the night with a score of three games to two. “Even though we pulled away with a victory, I still feel we should have earned the third seed, knowing our level of competition in the MVC is superior to those of smaller schools,” offered Murray.

The girls came into the game excited but prepared for what they had to do. “We worked on some game situations at practice, but nothing special. We approached Medford the same way we have approached any other big game,” said Murray.

Regular season concluded with the Lady Spartan Spikers being Co-Conference Champs in the Mississippi Valley Conference, which is shared with LaCrosse Central. “Overall I thought our season was successful. We had a few let downs, but every team has some. As for sharing the conference with LaCrosse Central, I feel a share is better than no share at all,” added Murray.

The girls look forward to semi-regional finals on Friday, October 22nd when they travel to number one seed Altoona.

The Lady Spartan Spikers fell short Friday, October 22nd as they lost to the Altoona Railroaders in three games.