The volleyball team has overcome obstacle after obstacle this season. However, the team has been doing well this year with an overall record of 18-7.
At the end of September, the WolfPack played Joliet in a five-game match, losing 3-2. The extremely close scores were frustrating for the team.
Calli Dahl, WolfPack libero felt that the team really came together well, and that the level of positivity and encouragement was higher than ever before. She played exceptionally well herself, swinging through the ball and exhibiting her talent and capability.
Considering Joliet’s ranking at fourth in the nation, Dahl said she was happy about the close scores. It showed that the team was able to battle through their errors and bring a serious challenge to the table.
After a weekend tournament in Iowa, they came out 2-1 overall in the tourney. That was encouraging as well, and their confidence showed in a recent match against Milwaukee Area Technical College on October 4. The team played 3-3, winning each game by at least 10 points.
“I’m really impressed and happy with the outcome,” said Ashley Ponyicsanyi, WolfPack defensive specialist. “Winning two out of three against D2 teams … I felt really good about that.”
The team went up against a formidable opponent on Oct. 5, playing UW Whitewater’s JV team. The Division III team’s flawless execution gave the WolfPack girls a great learning experience, according to Toby Parker, WolfPack coach.
The Warhawks showed the girls a different way of seeing things and gave them some new challenges to overcome. Whitewater is the best team that they’ll see this season, due to an impressive offense, according to Parker.
Parker is confident with the girls’ offensive play, and believes that the match against Whitewater helped in “setting the bar higher” for Madison College’s defense. The challenge presented pushed the girls’ boundaries, showing them a level of play that was above and beyond their conference.
Parker was clear that the scheduling was intentional. Bringing the girls into such a tremendously challenging match towards the end of the season is a way of preparing them for quarterfinals.
The opportunity to see new styles of play and to overcome the new obstacles presented by the Warhawks JV team isn’t over yet. The girls will be playing Whitewater again in three weeks, during their last week of regular season play.
Parker is proud of the way the girls play together, emphasizing the fact that their heart and character as a team was built early, in August. He believes that they’ll continue to impress, as they have been all season, even with losing so much of their original roster.
“We’re going to keep fighting. Despite everything, we’re going to push and try to make our goals,” Ponyicsanyi said. “We’re going to work to make them happen.”