The volleyball team started last season 2-3. A slow start it later regretted. When it came time for seeding for the SCAC tournament, the team wound up with a low seed. When the Tigers didn't win the conference title, they did not receive an open bid to the NCAA Div. III playoffs.
Head coach Deb Zellers and her team attribute the post-season snub to their poor record through the first five games of the season. Now, with the Tigers' record taking an almost complete 180 degree turn at 4-1, they're looking to continue that momentum through the rest of the season.
"I think we came in to our preseason a little bit more ready," said senior Abby Balbach on WGRE's Tiger Talk. "Given our season last year and the way we started and finished, we knew we had to get down to it."
The Tigers won three out of four games this weekend at the Washington University in St. Louis Bear Classic by scores of three sets to one in all three victories. The lone loss on the weekend was against Washington University, the No. 2 ranked team in the nation.
Coming into the season, Zellers stressed the importance of being physically and mentally prepared to develop team chemistry on the court.
"Our team chemistry is a little bit different," said senior Bri Holder on Tiger Talk. "Our team dynamic is a little bit different. Everyone's a little more relaxed, and that's making it easier on the court."
The development of that chemistry on the court will be key for the continued success of the team.
"Personal chemistry and team chemistry are two different things," Balbach said. "Translating that on to the court, it's a different kind of communication and relationship."
Especially during weekend tournaments when the Tigers play four games over the stretch of two days, encouragement from teammates on day two is what keeps the energy high and continues momentum.
"That's where that chemistry really comes back," Balbach said. "When we have to rely on our teammates to say, ‘It's day two, let's buckle down, let's get it done.'"
The Tigers have been finding success with their tall hitters at the net, especially Balbach and junior Katie Petrovich. Petrovich leads the team through five games with 46 kills while Balbach is second with 39.
"Our outside hitters have been finding a place to put it down, whether it is hitting around the block or finding an open seam or hole," Holder said. "Our serves received has picked up, and that's something that we've been working on."
Serving the ball in the court is something Zellers has also been preaching during the preseason as a way for the team to stay competitive.
"The controlables are very mental things that everyone knows about but are the hardest to make yourself do," Balbach said. "That's really what makes good teams great."
The Tigers look to improve their winning season at the Rose-Hulman Invitational this weekend.