In trying to find an identity for a team, there are many approaches to take. Different ways and methods to go about winning. Since the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, the Grambling State University volleyball team has applied one of the oldest concepts in sports.Teamwork.
“We just don’t have that go-to person right now,” head coach Kim Young said. “(Teamwork) is kind of the bulk of our game right now.”
Prairie View A&M has gotten out to a strong start, going 4-0 in conference play, while the lady Tigers got off to a 2-1 start, good for second in South Western Athletics Conference Western Division. As of Monday, Jackson State lead the Eastern Division.
The women (11-9, 2-1 SWAC) are focused on winning the conference, though the team is young (only two seniors) and lacks a dominant hitter, coach Young feels it is a possibility.
“We definitely (can win SWAC title),” Young said, “We’re looking good, we’re strong and everybody can hit.”
Those factors were apparent in the team’s dominant conference victory over Southern University in the GSU Men’s Gymnasium on Oct. 4. The women defeated the Jaguars 30-23, 30-20, 30-20.
The Lady Tigers showed solid passing, appeared to be quicker to the ball and at times out-hustled Southern.
Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Williams had a total of 12 kills and 11 digs on the day while freshman middle blocker Shawonna Davis added 11 kills. Junior setter Talon Morgan had a team-high 42 assists for a Lady Tigers team that looked forward to competing with Southern.
“We came out here with winning on the mind,” Young said. “Against Southern, it’s not only a football rivalry but a rivalry in all sports.”
As of Sept. 30th the women led the conference in blocks (161), and was second in service aces (96) and digs (933).
Latisha Stennis earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying 69 digs, 10 assists and nine service aces through 18 games for the women who defeated Southern 3-1 on Monday in Baton Rouge.
The women lost a nonconference game to the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions Wednesday night in Hammond, 30-24, 30-25, 30-17.