It’s been a rough start to the season for the Wildcats Volleyball team, with a 5-8 record, including recent matches against three different schools in one week. 

“Our season so far has been up and down. We have showed a great deal of promise at times, and also struggled at times,” head coach Mike Lozier said. “This is a sign of a growing team that has yet to find an identity as a unit on the court.”

This past week the Wildcats had matches against three tough opponents. First against Michigan Tech, they were swept 3-0  in Houghton on Sept. 24. Next, the Wildcats faced Lake Superior State at home on Sept. 27 and ended up losing that match 3-1. Lastly, on Sept. 28, they faced off against Saginaw Valley State and were defeated 3-2 in a close match, but Lozier said this team shows stamina.

“People only see a snapshot of this team each time they come watch us play, they don’t see the work this team puts in every day on the practice court,” Lozier said.

Lozier said his team just needs to continue to get better, and to not let the failures be anything but an opportunity to learn and get better. 

“I hate to focus on their youth, but most players on this team are seeing significant playing time for the first time in their college careers, so we expect to keep getting better as their experience grows,” Lozier said. 

The ‘Cats have traveled much this season, and last weekend marked its first home game. 

“There is a different feel, it is not even that away matches are super hostile, but it is more about how great our home crowd is,” Lozier said. “I was so impressed with our fans this weekend, they came out in full force, and injected some life into Vandament. If we keep getting that kind of support I expect our program to get some big wins in that space.”

The team will travel downstate on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5 against Ferris State and Northwood. The Wildcats will then return home next weekend and face off against Ashland and Wayne State.