SAU rallies from 2-games down to win MCC volleyball crown

By Shannon Heaton, sheaton@qconline.com

from: The Dispatch - Rock Island Argus
Sunday, November 12, 2006

Never in doubt.

Even after spotting Viterbo's volleyball team the first two games in Saturday night's Midwest Classic Conference championship match, players for St. Ambrose still felt confident about their chances.

"Every game, it's in the back of our minds that we're going to win," said Queen Bee senior Alexis Gustafson.

But even this one had Gustafson and her teammates in disbelief. As if the first two games never happened, SAU finally seized the momentum in the middle of the third game and never trailed again, defeating the V-Hawks in five games, 30-28, 30-18 and 15-13 after dropping the first two 30-27 and 30-28.

"I can't believe we pulled that off," said Gustafson, whose 11 kills had a lot to do with it. "It was such a rush to come back and beat them. I've never been on a team that's won anything before."

Viterbo (30-14) hadn't won an MCC title since 1990 after taking the first three, but it was the V-Hawks who seemed to play championship ball early on. By comparison, St. Ambrose (31-9) seemed rather listless. But the Bees would probably call it composed, instead.

"It was like Mt. Mercy; they were able to do it (play with emotion) for about a game and a half, and tonight, it was two games," SAU coach Bruce Billingsley said. "You can win a game, but it's tough to win a match on emotion.

"There was a little questioning, but never doubting (on the Ambrose sideline). This is just the way the team plays. And this (kind of match) is what it's supposed to look like when 1 meets 2."

Gustafson (11 kills, five blocks) was a new wrinkle for the V-Hawks, though; Viterbo hadn't seen her during the regular season because of her class schedule. So, too, was the play off the bench from setter Lauren Aderman, who spelled teammates Becky Fetter and Holly Ditzler with some sparkling serving and help on the setting front.

"I was very nervous; I hadn't played an actual match in five weeks," said Aderman, who'd had to battle through a bout with mononucleosis. "But as soon as I got out there, everything seemed to come together."

SAU, ranked third in the last Region VII poll, and Viterbo, ranked sixth, could theoretically meet again in the first round of Region VII tournament play again on Tuesday night. Pairings will be announced Monday.

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