Belles' season ends after disappointing loss to Knights
By ALICIA ORTIZ
Sports Writer
The Belles went to Calvin College Wednesday looking to bring back a win and continue on in the MIAA 2000 volleyball tournament. Unfortunately, they fell short of their expectations, losing to Calvin 15-3, 15-4, 15-5.
Saint Mary's, which has been in a constant struggle to gain wins, ended its season with a disappointing loss to Calvin College. Calvin is the No. 2 team in the MIAA.
"We didn't go out with the kind of fight that I had hoped for," head coach Julie Schroeder-Biek said.
In the first game, Saint Mary's remained tied with Calvin for five full rotations. After failing to keep its serve, Saint Mary's ultimately lost to Calvin 15-3.
"We started off playing very well," senior defensive specialist Victoria Butcko said. "The score doesn't reflect how well we played."
Calvin dominated the next two games, winning with scores of 15-4 and 15-5.
"We had difficulty serving," Butcko said. "We missed key serves that would have put us ahead."
Key plays came from outside defensive hitter Angela Meyers. She had eight kills and 14 digs.
"Angie pulled through for us," freshmen setter LeighAnn Matesich said.
Other top Belles' performers were MC Christopher with11 digs and four points, and Matesich with 14 assists. However, individual accomplishments were not enough to pull this team together for a win.
The loss ended a challenging season for the Belles, who finished 7-22.
"I was hoping we would have made it to the second round [of the tournament]," Butcko said. "It is not how I thought we would end our season."
The tough competition of the 26-7 Calvin team was more than the Belles could handle. The Belles wanted to get the win for senior Victoria Butcko, who ended her four-year career on Wednesday.
"We did not leave the season as strong as we had hoped," Matesich said "We wanted to leave with a win."
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 3, 2000
