Queen Bees Volleyball bit by Tigers in finale

Nov. 18, 2004
By Dan Tomlin
Sports Editor

Early in the season, no one knew what to expect from the Queen Bee volleyball team. When the number of freshmen outnumber the seniors on the team it's almost always going to guarentee a long season.

For head coach Bruce Billlingsley though he saw a lot of promise.
"They're a really good team, it's very exciting to watch," Billingsley said. "We've got three seniors who have shown great leadership all season long, and now we've also got a core group to build on for next year."

The seniors Billingsley refered to are Kristi Murray, Erin Singleton, and Sarah Bentley.

For Singleton and Murray their senior campaigns were capped off with All-Conference honors, and a runner up finish in the Midwest Classic Conference tournament.

In the conference tournament the Fighting Bees fell to the Iowa Wesleyan College Tigers in four games. For Billingsley though this just further showed how far the team had come.

"We played well for most of the match, Billingsley said. "We lost to them in straight sets the last time, so we're improving."

The Queen Bees kept receiving post-season accolades as well. Billingsley collected his fifth MCC Coach of the Year honors, while sophomore Kelly Grimes was named to the first team All-Conference along with the two seniors. Freshman setter Becky Fetter was named to the honorable mention All-Conference team.

This core of young players has started to show signs that for the future is set for the volleyball team.

"We're further ahead then I thought we'd be," Billingsley said. "We keep getting better everyday."

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