The Spur

Issue date: 10/20/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Stoll Two Mustangs leap for the block helping SMSU with the victory. The players are Tricia Ingvalson (right) and Krystie Kaukola (left). The team remains ranked #24 in the nation.

With just six games left on their schedule, the Mustangs are ranked #24 in the nation and have found cracks in the foundation of the mighty Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. In the remaining couple weeks left before the conference tournament, the Mustangs confidence continues to grow nearly as fast as their number in the wins column.

With so few games remaining in the season, the Mustangs certainly had a gut-check against the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks Tuesday October 18. The Mustangs have grown quite accustomed to winning matches quickly and have rarely found themselves losing after the first two games, but such was the case against the Mavericks going down 0-2, 23-30 and 27-30 after the first two games.

The Mustangs finally showed up for the game and gave a very impressive next two sets limiting Mankato to just 19 and 21 points in the next two games. With the crowd and the team back into the match the Mustangs won in a fifth-set 15-9.

The comeback proves the Mustangs can win with their backs against the wall.

The Mustangs in the last week have faced some tough teams but proved they could stand up to their challenges. The Mustangs have defeated Winona State, St. Cloud St., but couldn't hold off Concordia-St. Paul after winning the first game.

Against Concordia-St. Paul the Mustangs started strong with a 30-26 win. The intensity and drive seemed to leave the Mustangs after the first game upset. The team then lost the next three 24-30, 19-30 and 28-30. Despite the losses the Mustangs feel they could've won the match.

"I definitely think we can beat them. At least taking the game from them is definitely a sign we can beat them," said setter Ashley Chambliss, a freshman undeclared student.

"We can beat them if we play consistently, which we didn't do," said setter Marcia Loeslie, a senior business administration student.

The Golden Bears have had the Mustangs' number all season sweeping the series. The next time the two may meet would be the conference tournament.

Rather than the team sulking about the loss the team uses it to drive them.

"The loss is something we have to put behind us and use as motivation," Chambliss said.

When the Mustangs faced Winona St. they needed four games to defeat the Warriors. The match was very one sided, with the exception of the second game. The scores were 30-16, 27-30, 30-21, 30-18.

The Mustangs also defeated St. Cloud St. in St. Cloud. St. Cloud avoided the sweep with a win in the third game, but couldn't get anything going in the fourth game as the Mustangs handed them the loss preventing St. Cloud from scoring even 20 points. The score to that game was 30-27, 30-21, 25-30, 30-15.

The Mustangs will look to trample the Northern State Wolves and #22 MSU-Moorhead in the upcoming weekend. The Mustangs have defeated both teams earlier in the season and will now face both teams at home.

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