This was the toughest week for Coastal this season. It began when Roberta Croteau pulled her left hamstring on Monday during training. She saw limited time against Charleston Southern and was told on Wednesday that her status for this weekend would be questionable. The trainers warned that under the present condition of her muscle she had a strong chance of tearing it badly. On Wednesday Amy Bambenek came down with a viral infection and on Thursday Emma Prowse left practice with a sprained ankle.
With the three top hitters on the team in trouble Coastal was going to have to face UMBC on the road for the Big South League title. Could things get tougher - yes. On the first play of the match against UNC Greensboro on Friday night Roberta Croteau proceeded to tear her left hamstring while going for a ball.
After a dissapointing match on Friday night Coastal recovered to beat UMBC 3-2 on Sunday. With the season championship on the line Coastal overcame a disasterous first game and took control of the match with victories in game 2 and 3. Coastal was up 9-4 in game 4 when they started to relax and UMBC was able to claw there way back into the match. Game 5 was tied at 12-12 when Coastal sided out for point number 13. Emma Prowse stuff blocked a ball for a 14-12 lead. UMBC sided out for the next point and then Roberta Croteau killed a ball off the block for the match. Coastal was led by Roberta Croteau who had 27 kills and 22 digs. Emma Prowse showed her strength in the middle with 18 kills and 6 blocks. Michelle Shepherd had her best match of the season as she came off the bench in the first set and started the rest of the match (46 assists, 4 aces). Wendy Kutz had 5 kills (.357 hitting %), 3 aces and 20 digs. Alicia Pulchinski added 12 digs and 1 ace. Amy Bambenek had 6 kills and 17 digs. Autumn Staub had 9 kills and 3 blocks. Croteau, Prowse, and Bambenek should be commended on their performances and effort because of their injuries.
Friday night Coastal lost 2-3 to UNC Greensboro in a match that lasted for 2 hours and 30 minutes. UNC Greesboro looked like they had been waiting for this match all year. Coastal on the other hand looked like a team that was dreaming about UMBC and lacked focus. The first two games were close with Greesboro winning the first and Coastal taking the second. Game three was a blowout for Coastal. Greensboro was able to bounce back to take game 4 and 5 by the score of 15-13. Coastal played the match with little enthusiasm or motivation. On the other hand some of this was expected with the injuries to Croteau, Prowse, and Bambenek. Emma Prowse led Coastal with 24 kills and 5 blocks. Roberta Croteau had 21 kills, 1 ace, and 28 digs. Amy Bambenek had 15 kills, 1 ace, and 27 digs. Autumn Staub had 11 kills, 1 ace, and 3 blocks. Wendy Kutz had 6 kills, 4 aces, 14 digs, and 5 blocks. Colette Pawlyk had 34 assists and 13 digs. Michelle Shepherd had 26 assists, 1 ace, and 18 digs. Alicia Pulchinski added 1 ace and 10 digs. Amy O'Neil had 1 ace and 8 digs.
