STLCC rebounds with pair of weekend wins
A multi-win weekend has been a long time coming for a St. Louis Community College volleyball program that has scuffled often in its return after a one-year hiatus. But the Archers achieved just that this past weekend, as STLCC knocked off both Malcolm X and Lake County College in three sets. The wins snapped a 14-match losing streak, and improved the Archers to 3-21 on the season.
The Archers defeated Malcolm X 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, before battling for a hard-fought 25-22, 25-23, 28-26 win over Lake County.
Saturday’s rebound performance was the culmination of what has been a slow, yet meticulous improvement by the Archers throughout the fall.
“We had done a very large overhaul, both with offense and defense,” head coach Chris Arbini said. “A lot of the bugs, a lot of the kinks started to get worked out this weekend, obviously for the better. It helped us execute our strategy, regardless of what our opponents were doing.”
While much of the team’s improvements was based off of in-season development, the Archers did receive reinforcements on the defensive end. Boosted by the additions of freshman setters Kelsie Tinnea and Hannah Cordes, the Archers’ defensive performances have seen a sea change in the past two weeks.
“We have made some major changes with offense and defense, and we’ve picked up a couple players that have been really helpful, not only in practice, but on the court as well. We’re rounding into the team we should be.”
The timing couldn’t be better for the Archers, who conclude their home schedule on Wednesday against Webster University’s junior varsity, and begin postseason play in three weeks.
Mike Duffy’s Bar and Grill Play of the Match:
Our play of the match was an ace by Kellie Schramm to clinch the second set against Malcolm X. The Archers won that set 25-15, before closing out the team’s second victory of the year in the third set.