AU v. Lake Superior State, W 25-17, 25-19, 25-22

A volleyball season is always changing. A win or loss is never determined until the final whistle of the set or match. 

Teams can easily change rankings and records from week to week.

The AU volleyball team has proven all of this. 

As of Sept. 13, the team was 0-6. It wasn’t looking too good for the rest of the season. Their first win came against Michigan Tech on Sept. 19 and since then the team gone 3-1. 

This past Friday, the Eagles traveled to Lake Superior State and swept the Lakers 3-0, 25-17, 25-19, and 25-22.

Ashland now improves to 3-7 on the season, 3-3 in the GLIAC. Lake Superior falls to 1-10, and 0-6 in conference play. 

 As she was getting on the bus for the weekend, AU head coach Cass Dixon felt great about what lay ahead. 

“The energy was great heading into our match against Lake [Superior State]. We had a good week of practice and some confidence from a GLIAC win earlier in the week at Lake Erie.”

Ashland came out starting strong in all three sets, but never let up. 

“Prior to the match, we talked about the things we could control. We went into the match focused on our energy and being disciplined,” said Dixon.

Maureen Johnson was the defensive gem at the net, securing 3 blocks. 

Jennifer Vander meer led the team in digs with 12.

Offensively, Alli Cudworth took charge with 16 kills on 28 attempts throughout the entire 3-set match. 

As a team, the Eagles hit .308, 49 kills with only 16 errors. They haven’t hit above .200 so far this season.

“This week we focused on keeping balls in play and designed drills for them to understand how pivotal their attacking errors are,” Dixon said. 

“In doing so we became a little more conservative when we needed to be and were more patient when it wasn’t the most optimal situation to swing aggressively.”

In addition to the great hitting, Ashland’s setter Katie Seifert recorded a match-high 43 assists. 

This change, along with the improvement of everyone on the team has contributed highly to the teams’ consistency. 

“We are definitely getting better physically and mentally everyday with practice,” said Dixon.

AU v. Northwood, W 28-26, 25-18, 25-17

As the road games continued for the Eagles, they stayed composed and driven, played their hardest and showed the Northwood Timberwolves what they came to do.

Ashland came out on top again, sweeping all 3 sets. 

The first set went into extra points, but that did not phase the Eagles. It gave them the momentum to win big in the last two sets. 

Coming into this game, the Eagles had their first winning streak of the season. 

Coach Dixon is enjoying the feeling of winning but is making sure to stay focused. 

“It feels good to have been able to come away with the quality wins in our last three matches,” said Dixon. 

“Again we are focusing on getting stronger and more consistent every day and I think that showed in our play last week.”

The second set was the only one that caught the Eagles trailing all night. What was a six point difference, 11-6 Northwood, did not last very long because Ashland regrouped. 

“We have been talking about increasing our mental toughness and continuing to play aggressively when we are in tight situations.” Dixon said.

Sohpomore Alli Cudworth took the lead on the net again, with 16 kills. 

“I think that our leadership helped our younger players stay calm and focused during that time,” said Dixon. 

Sophomore captain Casey Clark also was a lot of help for the Eagles against the Timberwolves. 

She recorded 12 digs with six kills on the night. Ashland hit .208 as a team. 

In addition to the offensive positives, the defense was in prime condition. 

“We also came up with some great defensive plays to keep us in the rallies and won some crucial points off of our swings,” said Dixon. 

Ashland held Northwood to only a .082 hitting percentage

Junior captain Sam Zuber and Maureen Johnson both secured five blocks. 

Zuber, Cudworth, and setter Jacqueline Tanguay also recorded two service aces apiece. 

As of right now, AU is on a hot streak and is looking nowhere but up for the rest of the season.

 It is still early, but Dixon looks to some continuous improvement. 

“You know I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think we have taken some big steps in the last week. If we continue working hard and control the things that we have control of, then I think we are going to do well. It comes down to effort and attitude.”

Ashland’s next game will be on October 3 at Ferris St. 

Their next home games will be on homecoming weekend Oct. 10 against Saginaw Valley and Oct. 11 against Wayne St.