It took the Anaheim Angels 40 plus years of agony, disappointment and frustration to finally reach the World Series this year. The Women's Volleyball team needed 49 consecutive conference games to finally notch a win in a MAC contest. The losing streak dated all the way back to the 1999 season. Now all that pain and suffering along the way for both teams will simply be remembered as ancient history.
On Friday night at Alumni Arena the Bulls (9-14, 1-8 MAC) demonstrated tremendous heart and compassion in putting forth an effort that guided them to a deciding five game win over Toledo (10-8, 2-5), ultimately prevailing 17-15 in the last game of a truly seesaw battle. The win snapped a season long seven game losing streak.
"We finally ended the streak that everyone has been talking about," said junior Lindsay Matikosh who recorded a double double (10 kills and 19 digs) and added seven blocks. "We weren't playing five games to lose. We are sick to death of that."
In game one Buffalo got off to a fast start in opening a 3-0 lead. The Rockets bounced back immediately and remained very competitive. Buffalo hung in the game tightly to the end and some aggressive play was rewarded with a 30-27 game one win.
Game two featured UB coming out strong early and opening up a 15-11 lead. However, Toledo responded again and closed the gap. Once the Rockets reclaimed the lead at 19-18, UB appeared to be shell shocked and fell 30-25.
Perhaps having a sense of urgency, Buffalo came out booming in game three opening an early lead of 8-4, and a little later a service ace by Matikosh restored Buffalo's four point lead at 15-11. Toledo once again responded to take a 21-20 lead, but couldn't put Buffalo away as UB pulled out a hard fought 31-29 decision.
Toledo just dominated the fourth game from start to finish, as the Bulls looked confused and frustrated from time to time in losing 30-17.
The Bulls got off to a quick start in the fifth and deciding 15-point game and took a 1-0 lead. The Rockets took control and managed to build a three-point lead on five different occasions, which in turn was countered every time by Buffalo.
Buffalo eventually tied the score at 13 on an attacking error by Toledo's Jessica Buck, and a pair of kills by both teams made the score 14-14. Buffalo snuck ahead 15-14 on a setting error by Toledo's Carrie McCaw, but Toledo responded with an attack that knotted the score at 15.
That was the last time the score would be a tied, as a kill by junior Alexis Bouie, followed shortly with a service ace by Emily Dills sealed the deal for Buffalo.
"Everything that has been at our fingertips, within our reach, we finally reached out and grabbed it," said junior Alexis Bouie, who also had a strong game, finishing with eight kills and eight blocks and two digs. "We're finally capitalizing on what we say, what our motivation is."
A major factor that contributed to the Bulls' win was the composure and relaxation of UB Head Coach Sally Kus on the bench. That is an indication of the confidence Kus has in her players.
"When they get in trouble out there, I think that it's very important that when they look to the bench they see control and not panic," said Kus after the triumph. "This is a huge gorilla off our back."
Sophomore Molly Schrantz led the team with 12 kills and 17 assists and freshman Katie Weekley posted a match-high nine blocks. Freshman Amy Brown recorded 27 assists and 10 digs, while sophomore Kathryn Henry and senior Amie Wall finished with 15 and 14 digs, respectively.
