Achilles heel?
JP Sinclair | Business Manager
Every sport has its own marquee match-up. A match-up that everyone, players, coaches, fans, even referees look forward to it. In football, it’s the Patriot and Colts rivalry, in baseball its the Yankees and Red Sox, and in basketball its the Celtics and Lakers. The world of Division II volleyball, has such a rivalry. It is #13 Lewis University (14-3, 4-0 GLVC) and the #12 University of Indianapolis (19-1, 5-1 GLVC).
The ‘Hounds have lost to the Lewis Flyers in their last six games against them, including losing to them in the semifinal of the GLVC Volleyball Tournament last year on Nov. 15, 2008, and in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Semifinal on Nov. 16, 2007. The last time the Greyhounds beat the Flyers was September 8, 2007. Lewis has dominated the overall series between the two teams, 37-9.
When the two teams first met on Nov. 12, 1982 it marked the beginning of a long losing streak to Lewis. The Greyhounds’ first win didn’t come till November 8, 1997, which was the first season under head coach Jody Butera.
“They’re all capable of winning every game if they choose too,” said assistant coach Kyp Harasymowycz. “It’s just getting over some mental and match-up things. Lewis knows we can beat them, but they have a certain swagger. The experience of losing to the same team five to six times in a row, it beats the heck out of the kids. We have to block out the distractions.”
During their first match-up this season, Lewis beat the Greyhounds in 0-3 in straight sets. It is still the only lose on the season for UIndy.
“You minimize your errors and you give you’re self a chance to win ball-games. Everyone gets mentally and physically tired at this point in the year, and for our errors to be down the last couple of games, is paying off,” Harasymowcyz said.
UIndy was lead by Kristina Kerrigan who hit .458 during the match.
“It is a big rivalry, because they’re only three hours away, but even competition is close,” said former UIndy student Beth Robbins.
The ‘Hounds have since rebounded from their loss to Lewis to win their next three games against GLVC teams. Overall, the Greyhounds lead the GLVC in hitting percentage at a .287 clip.
“It’s just like in baseball, if you hit near .300, especially as a team and your going to find yourself in the win column,” Harasymowcyz said.
Part of the reason for their great hitting percentage is the work of sophomore Cheneta Morrison who set’s up the hits with her assists with 10.33 per game which is second in the GLVC. Morrison takes over the setter position this season after the Robbins, the schools all-time assist leader, graduated last year.
The ‘Hounds may have the chance to match up against the Flyers again this year, in either conference finals or post-season play. Maybe then the “curse” will be broken.
