Michigan Journal

Issue date: 10/19/04 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ryan Schreiber Dearborn lines up during the team introductions. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Ryan Schreiber The starting six get set to take the court as they psych each other up. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Ryan Schreiber The Wolves defense sets up to return a serve. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Ryan Schreiber Sophomore Lynnea Harris goes up to spike over two Siena players to increase UM-D´s lead. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Ryan Schreiber [Click to enlarge]

Coming off a disheartening loss to Cornerstone the week before, the UM-D women's volleyball team needed to bounce back and win at home against number four Siena Heights.

This past Tuesday they did just that.

The first game of four was close on paper, but was easy for the home team as they put forth a great effort, winning 30-24.

The women's play seemed lax in the second game, falling behind early and fighting an uphill battle the rest of the game.

This effort ended up being too little too late, with the Saints picking up their only win of the night, 30-20.

Game three was quite lopsided with the Lady Wolves in control for the majority of the game.

The Wolves staved off a last minute comeback by the Saints and won game three by seven points.

The fourth and final game of the night brought about Dearborn's best performance of the series.

Captain Marlo Miller led her team to a nine point victory with her dominating performance.

Head coach Mike Gibson commented on the win, "It was an odd match....We came out strong, let them win a game and they (Siena) were never in the last two games."

Working on one day's rest the girls took on a weak Rochester team that Thursday.

The match was one-sided throughout with UM-D winning in three games.

Dearborn won the first game 30-16.

The second game did not follow suit with the match versus Siena as Dearborn did not allow for any sort of a Rochester comeback as the Wolves won 30-21.

UM-D flexed its muscles in the last game, allowing for little errors on the way to a 30-11 victory.

Despite having two freshmen starters Gibson attributed this youth as a key to their win.

"Our setter (Renee Laidler) is connecting much better with our middle hitters (Kristi Igo and Lynnea Harris), which is critical to our game."

The very next night UM-D had to face off against the number three ranked team in the country, Madonna University.

Playing at Madonna's home court gave Dearborn one advantage, surprise.

Madonna came into this game overconfident after thrashing Dearborn on the Wolves' home court.

UM-D took advantage of this, taking a 27-23 lead late in the first game, only to slip up and lose 28-30.

Dearborn's spirit was crushed after that defeat, dropping the next two games 30-9 and 30-17.

Tonight the girls play Concordia at 7 p.m. There will be free admission, pizza, pop and thundersticks to all those who attend.

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