Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Big Red Sports

Photo Courtesy WOU Wolves [Click to enlarge]

Last week the Western Oregon Women's volleyball team won their matches on Thursday and Saturday to remain atop the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) standings. Neither Montana State University (MSU) Billings or Seattle University could stop the Western Oregon team who are currently enjoying a seven match winning streak. After the weekend, the Wolves are 13-5 over all and 10-1 in conference. The ladies are tied with Western Washington atop the conference.



Last Thursday's game was a comeback win over MSU Billings, the only GNAC team to defeat the Wolves this season. Then, on Saturday, the Wolves dominated Seattle University for three games. The Western Oregon volleyball team's determination and skill showed over the weekend due to the consistency of the team since their conference opening sweep of Central Washington, according to Head Coach Joe Houck.

The Wolves will need plenty of consistency this week when they travel to Nampa, Idaho to face the Northwest Nazarene University Crusaders and then to Seattle, Wash. to face the Seattle Pacific University Falcons. When the Wolves face the Crusaders, they will be stalking a team that has won its last two home games and is looking for a statement win against the strong Wolf squad. The Wolves swept the Crusaders when they visited Monmouth, and are looking to return the favor in Nampa. In Seattle, the Falcons are hoping to remain afloat after going 4-6 in conference play so far. When the Falcons traveled to Monmouth, toward the end of September, the Wolves swept them in three games, something the Wolves plan to repeat this weekend.

With the success of the Wolves bringing thoughts of a trip to an NCAA tournament, Houck looks at every game as a must-win game. This mentality allows the Wolves to treat every match as championship match since the Wolves' aspirations of a tournament trip lay in winning their conference, said Houck.

Some of the Wolves have had to work harder than ever before to remain competitive. With new faces on the team and problematic injuries occurring at inopportune times, Houck has been able to rely on his backups and underclassmen for a quick renforcement during the Wolves' run. When key starter Sharon Peterson succumbed to the injury bug, backup Mandy Keifer was able to step in and contribute during last week's games. When a team can rely on their backups, like the Wolves have been able to do, they become extremely tough to beat.

As they continue to win, the Wolves see their goal of a conference title coming into sight.


The increase of fan attendance at home games really motivates the team. During the two next home games, coming on Nov. 1 and Nov. 3, the Wolves hope to return from their road trip to a packed house to help them as they face the visiting teams from Alaska. So, when they return in November, come to the new PE building and cheer the Western Volleyball on as they drive toward a conference championship to call their own.

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