2008 Woodie Awards
5-1 MAC start has RedHawks eyeing top 25 poll
Drew Bollea
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Sports
With a win over the University of Akron Zips last weekend, the RedHawks volleyball team has extended its win streak to five matches-and its 5-1 record in the Mid-American Conference is the team's best start since 1999.
The 'Hawks are dominating their opponents, sweeping their last three matches in three straight games-making a statement in the MAC and letting their actions speak louder than words.
"We are demanding respect from our opponents with our play on the court and making sure that nobody overlooks Miami," said senior Jeanna Staun.
The RedHawks defeated their first nationally ranked opponent in school history by beating the Bobcats of Ohio University 3-1 earlier in the season, and have also received votes to get into the national top 25 poll the past few weeks, although still have been unable to get ranked nationally.
"It has been really exciting for us because we've been playing so well together and have been able to compete with, and beat, some very good teams," Staun said.
A lot of the RedHawks' success has come due to their focus before and during their matches.
"Our main focus each week is the team that we will be facing next," said Assistant Coach Adriano de Souza. "And during the games we want to make the best of every opportunity to score."
Another key component to Miami's success is its togetherness throughout matches. The 'Hawks are flying high with confidence and are very comfortable with each other out on the court. They are meshing well together as a team, and are playing as a single cohesive unit, according to de Souza.
"Each game someone new steps up and plays really well," de Souza said. "Our team has great chemistry together."
The 'Hawks also attribute a great deal of their recent success to the fact that they returned everyone from last year's squad.
"We have learned to play together over the past few years, and we have been able to integrate the freshmen into our system," Staun said.
The 'Hawks are dominating their opponents, sweeping their last three matches in three straight games-making a statement in the MAC and letting their actions speak louder than words.
"We are demanding respect from our opponents with our play on the court and making sure that nobody overlooks Miami," said senior Jeanna Staun.
The RedHawks defeated their first nationally ranked opponent in school history by beating the Bobcats of Ohio University 3-1 earlier in the season, and have also received votes to get into the national top 25 poll the past few weeks, although still have been unable to get ranked nationally.
"It has been really exciting for us because we've been playing so well together and have been able to compete with, and beat, some very good teams," Staun said.
A lot of the RedHawks' success has come due to their focus before and during their matches.
"Our main focus each week is the team that we will be facing next," said Assistant Coach Adriano de Souza. "And during the games we want to make the best of every opportunity to score."
Another key component to Miami's success is its togetherness throughout matches. The 'Hawks are flying high with confidence and are very comfortable with each other out on the court. They are meshing well together as a team, and are playing as a single cohesive unit, according to de Souza.
"Each game someone new steps up and plays really well," de Souza said. "Our team has great chemistry together."
The 'Hawks also attribute a great deal of their recent success to the fact that they returned everyone from last year's squad.
"We have learned to play together over the past few years, and we have been able to integrate the freshmen into our system," Staun said.
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