Following an 11 day break, the Pilots showcase the experience they have gained from facing ranked opponents
By Nicholas Slepnikoff
Next to a silent Merlo Field, familiar sounds drifted across the west side of campus. Emanating from the Chiles Center, these yells, whistles and gasps signaled the long-awaited return of Pilot volleyball to the Bluff.
After two weeks on the road, the Pilot women's volleyball team returned to the Chiles Center Sept. 30, beating Seattle University.
After an 11-day break in the schedule, the Pilot women defeated the 5-14 Seattle University Redhawks 3-1.
The following Sunday, they traveled to Spokane, Washington to play the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Pilots struggled on Gonzaga's home turf, ultimately losing the match 3-0.
While only 289 fans stood under the fluorescent Chiles Center lights and supported the Pilots at the Seattle U game, their cheering would make a big difference for the Pilot squad.
Tapping into the loud nature of their fans and the electric atmosphere of the match, the Pilots started the game with an action- packed set. During an evening filled with back and forth action, the ball rarely rested.
However, benefitting from the home field advantage, the Pilots fought through Redhawk offense, winning the first, second and fourth sets 25-19, 25-20 and 25-13, respectively.
"A win at this point feels awesome, we've been on the road playing top twenty teams for the last three weeks," senior Maria Clemens said. "It's been a struggle, so this win felt amazing."
Like Clemens, Head Coach Joe Houck also thought the team did well, but still showed some weaknesses.
"With a two week layoff, it takes some time to get your rhythm back," Houck said. "We took this break to go back to the basics, fundamentals, and segments of the game."
Although Houck thought the team was not as crisp as it could be, he thought the defense was excellent.
The serve receive performed well against the Redhawk's offense, and, as the match drew on, the team came into its own.
However, using its strengths and drawing from practice, the team grew stronger as the match progressed, until the decisive 25-13 close to the match.
Games such as this one, Houck believes, the team will grow as a whole, and allow the freshmen the opportunity to gain more experience and grow as athletes.
According to Houck, not only does this experience enable the new recruits to see "where the bar is set," since they will face teams like USC, UO and UC Davis, but it also allows them to gain more insight into how to deal with the pressure of playing in front of large crowds.
Already this season, the team's freshmen have played in front of 1500 plus fans at games versus Kansas and USC.
"I love our freshmen class," Houck said. "It's going to be a joy to watch (them) grow up in a Pilot uniform."
In addition to the new freshman, sisters Jessica and Maria Clemens, recently featured in the Oregonian, also had solid offensive performances in the Seattle U game.
Junior Jessica Clemens posted 11 digs and an impressive 33 attempts on the ball, while senior Maria Clemens recorded 8 digs and a staggering 38 total attempts in the game.
Scoring 17 points and 13.5 points respectively, the sisters led the Pilot offense through game, often lofting the ball to far, uncovered corners or smashing it through the Redhawk's blocks in the front of the net.
Coupled with the offense, the Pilot defense also did an amazing job.
Often saving the ball within inches of contact with the court, the Pilot women showcased an airtight defense which would help them win the match.
With an incredible eight blocks on the night, senior Shelley Sievers led this defense, often sending hard spikes back into the faces of Seattle University.
Junior Jessica Baty also had a notable night. With 22 assists overall, Baty credited her feat to the team as a whole.
"It's really rewarding because we all work together as a team and it's all based on how we work together as a system," Baty said. "So, when the team works ... and the blockings right, they filter the ball right to me."
Although the Gonzaga loss moves the squad to a 4-12 season (0-1 conference), the Pilot women still have 13 matches left in the season.
Jessica Clemens says that due to the season's high powered start, the team has gained the confidence to play the conference's harder universities.
"We feel really confident going into the conference because we understand how to play against good teams like that," Clemens said.
"The teams we play in pre-season are the toughest that we'll play all year, so we know what to expect. We're prepared."
