Rivalry win boosts team’s confidence
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/06/2009
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After winning a key rivalry match, the Boilermakers look to continue to win this season.
The Purdue volleyball team (12-12, 4-9 Big Ten) must now travel to No. 12 Minnesota after coming off a vital win against Indiana on Wednesday.
The Boilermakers have struggled this season after graduating three players and dealing with an inexperienced team that is half underclassmen. However, one thing coach Dave Shondell has seen in his team is its perseverance.
“I’m just hoping to see the continued spirit of this team,” Shondell said after the win against Indiana. “The reason we’ve been losing matches up to this point is a lack of belief in who we are. Five of our losses have been in five games. That’s like being 0-5 in double overtime. We are the youngest team in the Big Ten. Now the key for us is to build on what we did (Wednesday).”
The Boilermakers have had difficulties with Minnesota in recent years including a 3-0 loss at home earlier in the season. After Wednesday’s match, the players believe their attitude will be the difference maker in this weekend’s matchup.
“I think it’s just come down to how bad we want it, how bad we want to turn around the season,” sophomore defensive specialist Emily Ehlers said. “This match helped our confidence and gives us another sense of being able to go out and win more games.”
The Golden Gophers lost middle blocker Brook Dieter, their top offensive specialist, earlier in the season, and the Boilermakers hope to take advantage of that Sunday.
The Boilermakers have had five straight NCAA tournament appearances and have not missed the tournament since Shondell’s first year at Purdue in 2003. This year, the Boilers will probably miss the tournament but Shondell remains optimistic about his team.
“We’re at a position where we’re not expecting to go to the NCAA tournament. We’re just going out and trying to win one match at a time and do all we can to win matches for Purdue.”
The Boilermakers will play Minnesota at 2 p.m. Sunday in Minneapolis, Minn. The match will air live on the Big Ten Network.