Team has failed to win a set in seven consecutive games
The Gamecocks had another tough weekend in conference play as they dropped two more games in straight sets to Arkansas and LSU. Against Arkansas, the sets were hardly competitive as the ladies had more trouble with unforced errors, totaling 30 on the day, making it their 3rd consecutive game with 30 errors, a streak enviable by no one. In fact, not a single player was able to score in double-digits against the Razorbacks and for all-SEC candidate Juliette Thevenin, her 6.5 point output was her lowest of the season. The story against the Tigers was much the same, at least on the scoreboard. With a very balanced attack led by hitters Cati Leak and Desiree Elliott, this group from Baton Rouge was able to eliminate mistakes and play efficient volleyball, committing only 23 errors compared to the Gamecocks’ 31. In the middle of the 3rd set, the Tigers put the nail in the coffin with an impressive 12-2 run that all but sealed the Gamecocks’ fate of senior day.
Coach Scott Swanson seemed to think that “passing,” was the sole reason behind their inability to break out of that funk.
“We can’t pass. It’s just…our ball control is very suspect at times. That’s why we can’t get it to the setter, can’t get it to the hitter. If you can’t pass, you can’t play,” Swanson said.
For seniors Lindsay Craft and Juliette Thevenin, this was their last home game in what have been two remarkable careers, and for Thevenin, the book is just about shut on an unforgettable 4 years here at South Carolina. She ranks 3rd all-time in kills and 2nd in kills per set and is in contention for a number of other records as well. Coach Swanson had nothing but praise for the young lady.
“She’s arguably the best player to ever come through here,” Swanson said. “She’s been the most valuable freshman, sophomore, junior, and now senior. She means a ton and you just can’t replace someone like that. I can’t thank her enough for all her hard work and sacrifice and what she has put her body through these last 4 years.”
The coach then focused his attention to next year, when the Gamecocks will return much of their young talent from this year and hope to make their presence felt throughout the SEC. Right now, though, the team has a lot to work on.
“Passing the ball, playing better defense, just all around better volleyball fundamentals [are what we need to work on],” Swanson said. “We have a lot of good athletes that just need training.”
When asked what he thought the biggest factor would be in the Gamecocks’ success next season, he pointed to one thing: ball control.
“We’re going to go as far as our ball control takes us. We’re going to have good setting, we’re going to have athletic hitters, we’re going to be big at the net but we have to have people who can control the ball.”
On a lighter note: despite having not won a set in 7 consecutive games and sitting at near the bottom of the conference, spirits remained high. As soon as the final point was won, the team made preparations to celebrate the careers of Lindsay and Juliette, sending them out the right way.