Thursday Notebook: Washburn vs. West Florida

Conor Nicholl

West Florida vs. Washburn notebook

West Florida Notes:

No. 7 West Florida’s upset against No. 2 Washburn started a week ago.

After the victory against Washburn, Wolter said it wasn’t even the best match the Argonauts had played this season. Against Henderson State University in the first round of the Gulf South Conference tournament on Nov. 3, head coach Melissa Wolter said the team changed.

West Florida dropped the first set 30-20, but rebounded to win the match 3-1, marking the fourth straight victory for the Argonauts. The win helped cement a NCAA tournament berth.

“We came back,” she said. “At that point, the team started to change and play the way we wanted to play. We realized that we could accomplish a lot.”

A week later, West Florida pulled off the upset against MIAA foe Washburn, dictating play and controlling the match. The victory was the second over the nationally ranked Lady Blues this season, but the first NCAA victory for the entire team.

Fernandes’ attacks a concern?: The Argonauts went to Naiara Fernandes early and often in their match against the Lady Blues. Fernandes, the Argonauts best offensive player (4.64 kills/game entering the NCAAs), collected 26 kills in 62 attempts (.258 hitting) against Washburn.

After the match, Fernandes – who averaged 36 attacks per three games played entering Thursday – had both of her shoulders iced down. Given past history, the high amount of attacks could be a concern. The playoffs yield better, more complete defenses and stronger front lines than the regular season.

Some teams, especially University of Concordia-St. Paul and University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2005, used two players consistently. Both of them fell short of a national title, as Jessica Lucia (CSP) and Erin Gudmundson (UNK) faded against a tough defense in the Elite Eight.

Fernandes is hitting less than .230 on the season and will face Central Missouri’s tough, fundamentally sound defense in the Round of 32. Entering the NCAAs, only Truman limited opponents to a lower hitting percentage than the Mules.

Washburn Notes: Even with the loss to West Florida, the Lady Blues will return plenty of talent for next season. This year, hurt by the loss of many players including 2005 All-American Monica Meisner, could be considered a disappointment for Washburn.

The squad was expected to challenge Truman and Central Missouri for MIAA supremacy and had a good opportunity to host the South Central Regional. Instead, multiple injuries racked the team. Freshman outside hitter Ashley Shepard tore her ACL and Tessa Jones, the Lady Blues’ best player, has a meniscus tear in her right knee. She needed a cortisone shot Monday to just play in Thursday’s match.

Still, 2007 looks very bright. Truman will lose their top two players in Sarah Shearman and Kelsey Wackerman – the last two MIAA regular season MVPs – and Central Missouri will lose several players including libero Katie Tarka, one of the best back row players in Div. II and a four-year starter.

Washburn will return Jones, libero Erica Cowhick (one of the best in the country and one of the most intense players in Div. II), Shepard and sophomore setter Kate Hampson.

“We have a lot of talent,” Jones said.

Cowhick sets school record: Cowhick set the all-time record for career digs with her first dig of the match against West Florida. The dig was her 1,628 of her terrific three-year career, breaking Shanna Haslett’s total of 1,627 set 16 years ago.

Overall, Cowhick averaged 6.93 digs/game in 2006, breaking her old school record of 5.50 digs/game set last season and ranking among the NCAA Div. II leaders.