Volleyball | 12/4/2015 9:09:00 AM
Moon Township, Pa. – Robert Morris head coach
Dale Starr needed only four preseason practices to surmise that something special was emerging with his talented volleyball team.
He was particularly struck by the mature, meticulous approach exhibited by a young group featuring six freshmen, three sophomores, four juniors and only one senior.
"It's hard to describe," Starr said. "But they were mentally prepared to set and to achieve their goals."
That unrelenting focus, that devotion to details, carried all the way through to the Northeast Conference Tournament, won by the Colonials, Nov. 22, for the first time in 12 years.
The 3-1 victory over the host school, LIU Brooklyn, was especially satisfying because the Blackbirds had eliminated the Colonials in three of the past four seasons, the past two included.
LIU Brooklyn was the three-time defending champion.
"Seeing the ball go out of bounds at the end and knowing that we had won, that was our moment, a chance to say we finally did it," said
Kristin Thompson, the team's lone senior and an All-NEC First Team selection. "It really hasn't quite hit yet."
The Colonials (19-12) get to continue this magical run at 7:00 p.m. tonight in a first-round NCAA Tournament game. They face Big Ten member Ohio State (23-9) at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
The winner plays the Kentucky-American winner in the second round.
This will mark the third time in six NCAA Tournament appearances -- the most recent in 2003 -- that the Colonials will face Ohio State in Columbus. The Buckeyes won the previous two encounters in 2001 and 2002.
The Colonials enter riding a seven-game winning streak and the momentum of that NEC title. They are the lone NEC representative.
Ohio State, meantime, is viewed as one of the top teams in the nation. Seeded 12th overall, the Buckeyes competed in a conference that sent nine teams to the big event. They've been here in five of the last six seasons, 21 times overall.
David vs. Goliath? Not in Starr's estimation.
"If we go in and see Ohio State as a giant, we're going to get beat," said Starr, the sixth-year coach. "We have to look at them as another opponent. We have to realize that they're 18- to 22-year-old girls, just like we are. ... I believe that we're going to show them that we're not going to back down, not going to be tentative, and do anything we can to win."
Starr paused, before adding, "The game is played with a round ball, but it bounces funny sometimes. Maybe the bounces go our way."
Junior April Krivnoniak, the 2015 NEC Tournament MVP, expanded on Starr's comments.
"Ohio State obviously has great skill level, but all we can do is battle for every point and never give up," she said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We have to give everything that we have and see what happens from there."
The signature of this Colonials squad is an aggressive defense. They ranked second in the NEC in blocks and tied for eighth nationally in digs per set (17.62). That style dovetails nicely with a patient and deliberate offense.
"We frustrate teams by keeping the ball alive for longer rallies," Starr said. "We're not overpowering on offense, but we're very diverse and balanced."
Leading the way is Thompson, a three-time All-NEC pick at middle blocker who ignites the team on and off the floor. Her goal this season was to not only lead the Colonials to the NEC tourney title, but to lay a foundation for future squads.
"The program's going to keep getting better," she said.
Humble by nature, Thompson said she does "little things" to galvanize the group. This includes providing a piece of gum to each team member after pregame meals. It is a subtle way of keeping with ritual.
"You can't brush your teeth after eating on a game day, so you get refreshed (with the gum), focused," Thompson said. "It's a routine. It's a small thing, but small things can be important."
"Kristin is the ultimate team player," Starr said.
Junior
Arden Fisher is having another dominant season. A defensive ace, she earned a third consecutive All-NEC Second Team nod. She ranked third in the league in digs and kills. She also became the seventh player in Colonials history to surpass 1,000 career digs.
Junior
Leah Dunivan, an All-NEC Second Team pick, led the conference in blocks at 1.19 per set.
Freshmen
Taylor Lord and
Allie Yurkovich emerged to play key roles down the stretch. Ditto for sophomore
Brianna Frakes.
"What sets this team apart is that we're all paddling in the same direction," Starr said. "You have 14 players in volleyball, but only six can get on the floor. Each one of those 14 kids gave everything that was asked of them. That's why the season has been so special."
