Spikers go 1-2 against conference opponents

September 24, 2007 —

by Adam Baudoux

Junior Sarah Redoute digs deep in the second game of the Cardinals' homestand after a long roadtrip. Redoute didn't save the point, but ended up logging 10 digs on the match. The loss to GVSU was one of two over the weekend; the women dropped three games to Ferris on Saturday.

After burning through competition over a monthlong roadtrip, the Lady Cards' season came to a screeching halt during their latest homestand, dropping two matches to GLIAC teams GVSU and Ferris State, 0-3 and 0-3 while besting Northwood 3-0.

SVSU won its home opener 3-0 against longtime rival Northwood last Tuesday winning three consecutive games 30-14, 30-27, and 30-16. The win over the Timberwolves is SVSU's first since 1992.

Sophomore Allison Schlinkert led the team's offense with 11 kills and seven digs, and hit .269. Sophomore Jaclyn Carnago scored nine kills out of ten attempts, and also logged four blocks and three digs. On the defensive end of things, Junior Carmen Schacher recorded 17 digs, with two aces on serves.

The game against Northwood would not reflect SVSU's performance against Ferris and GVSU, however. The Cards dropped six straight games to the GLIAC heavyweights, and gave GVSU's women one of their toughest tests of the season.

Schlinkert again led the Cards' offense with 12 kills, while junior Sarah Redoute nearly posted a double-double, logging nine kills and 10 digs.

Yet, the Cards couldn't stifle GVSU's potent offense. The Lakers hit .306 as a team and logged 51 kills, compared to 37 kills for SVSU.

However, the numbers don't tell the whole story. GVSU never led by more than six points during any game, despite slugging over .300. The Lakers squeaked past the Cards 30-24, 30-26, and 36-34.

But the numbers say everything about the game against Ferris State.

The Bulldogs outplayed SVSU on all statistical fronts on Saturday, hitting .262 as a team and recording 58 kills. The Cards, for their part, hit a meager .162 and netted 33 kills.

Redoute led the Cards limited offense with 10 kills and nine digs, again coming close to a double-double. Junior Carmen Schacher recorded a solid game on defense, despite the loss, digging 16 times and acing three times.

The series brings the Cards to 13-5 on the season and 2-3 in the GLIAC.

The team rematches Northwood on Oct. 19, and squares off against Ferris and GVSU again on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, respectively.

As the GLIAC currently stands, GVSU and HIllsdale sit atop the North and South divisions 5-0. At 2-3, SVSU's spikers have their work cut out for them.