By Karly Ratzenberger

Last weekend, the Wildcats battled it out at home in the Vandament Arena against Ohio Dominican University on Friday, Oct. 7 and University of Tiffin on Saturday, Oct. 8. The ’Cats defeated both Ohio Dominican (3-1) and Tiffin (3-0).

Senior outside hitter Emma Wolfe said she was impressed with the team’s overall performance as they, yet again, had a winning weekend.

“Our team played really well last weekend,” Wolfe said. “There were times where we could have played a little bit better, but overall it was good.”

Head coach Dominic Yoder said he was thrilled with the team’s performance last weekend and said that they were able to play well and defeat two competitors.

“The team played to their abilities, especially on Saturday. Friday was a bit of a stretch because we just didn’t perform well in serve-reception, but Saturday we were outstanding in almost all categories,” Yoder said.

Junior middle hitter Sami Vierk was awarded GLIAC player of the week.

“It was really nice to see Sami’s performance on Friday and Saturday,” Yoder said.

Wolfe said the team’s preparation for the matches last weekend helped the ’Cats come out on top against Ohio Dominican and Tiffin. Scouting the opponents played a big role in the team’s success last weekend as well.

“We were very well prepared this weekend. The coaching staff had a good scouting report prepared so that was nice to know exactly where to hit,” Wolfe said.

Yoder credited much of the team’s enthusiasm this weekend to a few players who took their abilities to the next level.

“We had four players that stepped up in the game and paid attention to the scouting reports and game plan and really applied themselves,” Yoder said.

Freshman setter Kaitlyn Hoffman said she was very happy with the teams energy this weekend. She attributed much of the energy in Vandament Arena to the large crowd that attended.

“The energy was great this weekend,” Hoffman said. “It was family weekend for the university, so there were a lot of fans in the stands and the team played great.”

Although the team is back on their winning streak after a loss to University of Minnesota-Duluth on Tuesday Oct. 4, there are still a few things that the ’Cats need to improve upon.

“The team will need to focus on our serving a little bit and I think that will help our team a lot,” Wolfe said. “Also, I feel like we are going to have to work on pressing our on block a little more, but our blocking has definitely picked up.”

Yoder also observed the team’s need for improvement in a few areas. Like Wolfe, he commented mostly on the need to work on blocking.

“The basics need to be consistent, mostly serve reception and serving,” Yoder said. “We need to improve on blocking and floor defense as well.”

Wolfe said the energy this weekend was very high and the team’s ability to stay positive and focused helped them to come away with two wins.

“Everyone was getting excited about points and that definitely contributed to our wins last weekend,” Wolfe said.

Sophomore right side hitter Ellen Lemos was still out this weekend with a broken finger, but Wolfe said the team is stepping up to the net and making the best out of the situation.

“We have had Ellen out for a couple of weeks now but people have been stepping up and taking her position,” Wolfe said.

Yoder said Lina Lopes, who was out last weekend with an ankle injury, has made a great comeback and has bounced back really well.

The Wildcats played Michigan Technological University at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Vandament Arena. The ’Cats beat Tech 3-0 and the team’s overall record is now 11-6. Yoder said he is excited for the competition this weekend in the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover tournament. He is especially motivated to use the weekend as an opportunity for improvement.

“We are looking forward to the team improving every week and this weekend is going to be a big weekend for us with us going down to the crossover,” Yoder said.

This weekend the ’Cats will travel to Aurora Ill. to play in the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover tournament. They play Bellarmine University at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. Also on Friday, the Wildcats play Missouri University of Science and Technology at 5:30 p.m. The ’Cats will play Northern Kentucky University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.