Cowgirls at the net start off strong

Cowgirls at the net start off strong

Carly DeMarque

Contributing Writer

The start of a new season and a new coaching era can bring in new philosophies and mentalities.  This change seems to have proven a boon for the McNeese State volleyball team, with the addition of coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald. 

Fitzgerald brings a more relaxed, smart and power-driven mindset for the Cowgirls.  These concepts have thus far proven to be effective; the squad has posted a 5-3 record in their first two weeks of play.

The Cowgirls have shown themselves to be relaxed and powerful, and are leading the Southland Conference in aces, aces per set, assists, kills and attacks on the ball.  They’re also coming in second in overall hitting percentage and third in their opponent’s hitting percentage.

For the McNeese State volleyball team this is no exception. Coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald has brought in a more relaxed, smart and power-driven mindset for the Cowgirls. These concepts have proven to be effective with the squad posting a 5-3 record in their first two weeks of play.

The Cowgirls have proven to be more relaxed and powerful in that they are leading the Southland Conference in aces, aces per set, assists, kills and attacks on the ball. While, also, coming in second in overall hitting percentage and third in opponents hitting percentage.

Junior setter, Kelly Graham, has contributed to much of the teams hitting success and is currently leading the Southland Conference in assists with 309 on the season.

The most recent NCAA statistics show McNeese is leading the nation in aces with 71. Malina Sanchez, junior, has contributed an impressive amount of aces, leading the nation with 27.

“Us serving tough has definitely played a role in our overall success, thus far,”  expressed Fitzgerald. “It neutralizes us against good passing teams but also hurts us when we have having an ‘off’ serving night.”

The Cowgirls continue play Sept. 20 against Tulsa and Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Followed by two home matches facing Northwestern State Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. and Stephen F. Austin Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.