After a strong start to the 2017 campaign for the Lady Rams’ volleyball team, the team has appeared to be on the rise. Considering the team’s 11-16 record last season, improvement was necessary. To begin the current season, the Lady Rams started with an 11-7 overall record.
The Lady Rams have improved in many aspects of the team’s game statistically. In comparison to 2016, Suffolk has improved in assists per set, service aces per set, kills per set and hitting percentage.
One game that stood out from the rest was against Anna Maria College. Suffolk swept the series 3-0 on Sept. 30, making it the first time the Lady Rams have done so in back-to-back games since 2014. Moreover, this victory marked the first time under head coach Bonny Ducharme that the Lady Rams have beaten Anna Maria. The last win against the Amcats came in 2013.
“Anna Maria has always been a challenge for us in the past,” said senior global business major Elizabeth Kerek in a recent interview with The Suffolk Journal. “I was excited to play them this year and see how much we have improved. Beating them was a great feeling.”
Kerek discussed how she is looking forward to the remaining 10 games after seeing what has unfolded through the first half.
Not only is Kerek optimistic about the team, due to recent events, but the senior standout also achieved a goal she had set for herself since the beginning of the season. Kerek became one of three Rams to have at least 1,000 career assists.
Junior business major Bridget Allison said the team had to come into the matchup against Anna Maria with a sense of urgency, knowing the Amcats are a strong opponent.
Sophomore outside hitter and right side Kayleigh Khanna had some positive words for the recent triumph over Anna Maria.
“Anna Maria was a great win. We had some great [plays] and the drive back was an enjoyable one,” said Khanna in a recent interview with The Journal.
Khanna commented on the season the Lady Rams have had thus far, saying it has been better than last season, but she still feels like the team could perform better.
Allison pointed out that the factor in beating the Amcats was being able to stay persistent. In addition, Allison said the Lady Rams could build off this success.
Allison claimed that this showed that the Lady Rams need to go into every game with a “‘we are going to win this” mentality.
Khanna is convinced the team also has the ability to push forward after this big feat and is hopeful that as a result, more wins will come the Lady Rams’ way.
Khanna believes the key to going forward for the team will be to remain consistent.
“More drive and more cohesiveness on the court,” will be the formula to more winning and moving forward, said Khanna.
Kerek considers the Lady Rams to have a lot of talent and thinks the team is using their natural ability to the advantage. Kerek said the Lady Rams are the strongest when all players on the team have energy.
“When we are up, there is no stopping us,” said Kerek.
Suffolk looks to continue on a successful path as they face Wentworth Institute Of Technology on Oct. 12.
