Team USA’s volleyball teams enjoyed a special moment during the Olympic Games in Beijing. They won three gold medals and a silver medal. Taking a ride in the good moment of Team USA, a young Ouachita women’s team of talented players wants to have a season of fun, learning and victories.
The Lady Tigers lost five graduating players last semester. Among those players were setter Brettney Cheatham and middle blocker Breanne Garrett, who was the most awarded volleyball player in school history.
Viewers who watched the Olympic Games saw the importance and the difference that a good setter can make in a team. The indoor men’s team had the command and the talent of the setter Lloy Ball.
“As for our new setters, I’m not worried about them,” said senior middle blocker Meredith Henry. “Lexie Hegi and Lauren Stuart came out ready to play in Florida and have proved to be two of the best setters I have ever hit off. They both have beautiful hands and play really smart.”
The Lady Tigers opened this season playing the West Florida Tournament in Pensacola, Fla. It was the first chance for the team to play together. They lost all four games, however, the tournament served as experience and preparation for the next matches.
“We are a young and inexperienced team,” Henry said. “Graduating five seniors is hard for a Division II program, but our talent level and our athleticism will help us overcome that obstacle. The first four matches in Florida were rough because we haven’t quite ironed out a true starting line-up or set positions for certain players. There are still a lot of changes that need to be made, especially in the area of passing.”
Henry believes that the team has potential to place in the top two or three in the conference, what with the talent the team has.
“Sometimes I wonder if the girls on our team even grasp how talented they really are,” Henry said. “Lexie Hegi, our freshman setter, is already clicking with all the hitters and we have only been playing together less than a month.”
Senior outside hitter Raichel Settle could not play last season because of a serious injury. The time that she spent outside the court helped her to become a smarter player.
“I really wanted to be out there on the court, but I learned so much sitting on the bench,” she said. I saw things from the sideline that I never saw when I was on the court. I hope to take what I learned and really put it to the test on the court this year.”
Settle also believes in the talent of the team. She says that the team spirit and union will be essential for the group’s success.
“I expect us to make it to the conference tournament and compete with any team we face,” Settle said.
Being inspired by the excellent results of the American volleyball teams the Lady Tigers will face a hard and tough season yet the environment between the players seems the best possible.
“I was talking to my coach the other day,” Henry said, “and I told him that even though we lost every game, I had never in my entire life had as much fun out on a volleyball court as I did with this group of girls. We have really bonded this past month and attitudes are right where they need to be. These girls have so much heart and so much drive to do their best. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.”
The volleyball team (0-8) returns to action tomorrow at the Harding University Volleyball Tournament at 11 a.m. against Nova Southeastern.
