Volleyball undefeated through 14

Winning 14 games in a row in any sport is never an easy task, let alone winning the first 14 games to start a season. That's exactly what the Slippery Rock women's volleyball team has accomplished to start the 2011 season.

Junior opposite Sarah Cadwallader said that the new players who came on the team helped to light a fire under the returning players to play better.

"The freshmen put pressure for us to play better," Cadwallader said. "That, along with utilizing the setters better, has helped us to be successful early this season."

The 14-0 start is the best in SRU history and the Green and White are one win away from tying the all-time consecutive wins record in school history.

"I think it's doable," Cadwallader said about tying the school record. "We've struggled with some PSAC teams the past few years but I think they're beatable this year."

SRU opens Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play tonight at Mercyhurst College at 7:00 p.m. followed by a match on Saturday against Gannon University at 2:00 p.m.

Cadwallader thinks that this weekend's tests in the PSAC-West will be difficult but feels that SRU can play its game and be successful.

"This weekend will be a difficult task for us," Cadwallader said. "If we can hang with Gannon on defense, we'll have a chance to get our offense together and win."

The Rock has shown a strong increase in its performance this season after finishing last year with an 8-21 overall record and 5-14 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference record.

Head coach Laurie Lokash credits new additions and overall better play by the team as the reason the team has won 14 straight.

"New personnel has been good for the team," Lokash said. "We've played better as a team and been much more competitive. Our second team has played better than our first team in some practices."

SRU won its 14th straight game Tuesday night against the University of Charleston (W.Va) in a 3-0 victory. The Rock won the first set by a 26-24 score, which was the closest game out of the three matches.

The Rock won the second and third set by finals of 25-11 and 25-9.

Senior outsider hitter Kaylee Smith was close to recording a double double, led the match with 16 kills and added nine digs. Freshman outside hitter Kristy Lake, who was last week's PSAC athlete of the week, had nine kills and 11 digs, just missing her chance at a double double.

Cadwallader contributed nine kills to the effort and junior middle hitter Hayley Wilson chipped in with four kills and five blocks.

The Rock ended its three-match losing streak to Charleston and tied the all-time series between the schools at 5-5.

This season, the Green and White have 549 kills compared to its opponents 329 kills, which gives SRU an 11.9 kill per set ratio and has allowed its opponents to have a 7.2 ratio.

The Rock also has 2.44 aces per game average which leads the PSAC conference, along with the best oppent hitting percentage at .112.

As the season continues, Lokash is looking to keep the team even keel and to play each match like it's the first match of the season.

"We have to continue to approach each match like we're 0-0," Lokash said. "It's extremely tough and we can't take any matches off. We have to maintain our confidence throughout the season."