Setter sparks volleyball team
Last season, the NDSU volleyball team won three games in the final tournament to bring their win total to five.
This year, the volleyball team surpassed that total before their first home game.
With its 3-1 win over Lamar at the SDSU Jackrabbit Invitational last weekend, the Bison picked up their sixth win and first four match winning streak since November 2004.
“ They’re starting to realize that their hard work is paying off and that we’re definitely improving,” head coach Erich Hinterstocker said. “This is a new season for us.”
Along with the new season came questions about a new setter, and Mattie Johnson has proven to be up to the challenge.
Johnson picked up her fourth straight Division I Independent Newcomer of the Week award with her performance in Brookings. She is currently third in assists among D-I Independents with 10.83 per game.
“ Mattie is great,” junior Christy Stuewe said. “She has worked really hard to make our system a fast system and we all appreciate the hard work she does.”
Sheila Parrish also had a solid tournament, averaging 4.1 kills per game and earning all-tournament recognition, her second such honor this season. On the defensive side, Lindsay Rogers has been a nightmare at the net for opposing hitters. She currently is second among D-I Independents with 1.32 blocks per game and is continuing to improve.
“ Lindsay is really coming into her own,” Hinterstocker said. “She’s the type of person who wants to continue to improve and she’s working hard to do that and I think you’re going to see her get even better in the next couple of weeks.”
With all of the success the Bison have had this year, the home fans have not been able to share in any victories as the team has been on the road every weekend.
The Bison will not be in Fargo until October 14. Despite this long stretch, the team has kept a positive attitude.
“ We’re having a lot of fun together,” Rogers said. “We love the coaching staff and have good chemistry.”
Hinterstocker understands how taxing the road can be and has made sure to try to keep the mood light for the team this year.
“ We played some Family Feud last weekend,” Hinterstocker said. “We’ve done a lot of different trivia; we’re having contests with crossword puzzles and word finds, just different competitions to have fun and keep our competitive juices flowing.”
This weekend the Bison continue their road trip, traveling to Rhode Island for the Brown Invitational where they will take on Brown, Fordham and Delaware State.
“ We are focused on winning the tournament,” Stuewe said. “We want to beat all three teams.”