Coastal Carolina University
Eastern Kentucky
Kent State Tournament Recap
9/14/1996 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Following this past weekend's tournament at Kent State, Coastal's Roberta Croteau was named the Big South Conference Player of the Week. Croteau was also named to the all-tournament team after having posted two, 20+ kill matches in the tournament and averaging 3.7 kills and 2.5 digs per game.
Coastal opened the tournament with a 2-3 (15-11, 9-15, 14-15, 15-7, 11-15) loss to Eastern Kentucky. In the first game Coastal came out strong but then lost the next two. Coastal dominated game four but again they had trouble in the tie break. Unfortunately this match set a pattern that was to continue through the weekend. Coastal played well at times but committed too many errors. Michelle Shepherd broke her thumb during practice and was not able to play. Roberta Croteau led the team with 19 kills and 16 digs. Emma Prowse had 13 kills and 4 blocks. Amy Bambenek had 10 kills, 4 blocks, and 18 digs. Autumn Staub added 10 kills and 4 blocks.
Friday night Coastal played Kent State. This was the longest match Coastal has played all year and the only 5 set match Kent State played on their way to winning the tournament. Coastal lost 2-3 (11-15, 15-10, 9-15, 15-3, 9-15) in a match that lasted for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Having lost the first set Coastal battled back to win the second and then crush Kent in the fourth 15-3. But the tie break did not go well for Coastal as a lack of aggressiveness and key mistakes allowed Kent State to win. The Coastal Chanticleers were led by Roberta Croteau (20 kills, 3 aces), Emma Prowse (19 kills, 6 blocks), and Colette Pawlyk (49 assists, 12 digs).
Saturday morning began just as Friday evening ended. In a 2-3 loss to Buffalo, Coastal started the match wishing they were still in bed and ended the match wanting to go back to bed. Coastal lost the first set 4-15 and the second 14-16. Down 0-2, Coastal showed their toughness in winning games three (15-11) and four (15-8). In the tie break Coastal never got orientated as three of Coastal's starters finished the match with a negative hitting percentage. Roberta Croteau led the team with 15 kills and 12 digs. Alicia Pulchinski had a strong match with a perfect passing performance and 7 digs.
Indiana State was Coastal's last match of the tournament. Once again Coastal lost 2-3 in a match that lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes. After a 14-16 loss in the first game Coastal came back to win the next two 15-11 and 15-10. Coastal put up a good fight but a lack of concentration and the affect of the previous three five-game matches began to show. Coastal was not able to hold on the game four (10-15) and five (12-15). Once again Coastal was led by Roberta Croteau with 20 kills, a .400 hitting% and 16 digs. Amy Bambenek added 15 kills and 17 digs. Emma Prowse had 12 kills, a .450 hitting %, and 5 blocks. Autumn Staub had 12 kills and Colette Pawlyk had 47 assists and 3 aces.
"Of course I am disappointed in our results this weekend. We had the opportunity to win every one of those matches. Most of the tournament we looked like we were firing on 3 cylinders. Something was definitely missing. Nobody wants to lose, especially to teams that are not stronger than us." , Coach Lee.
