After a disappointing loss on Sunday at Southern Conference power Georgia Southern, ETSU volleyball was charged with maintaining its focus against a weaker, non-conference opponent Tuesday night.
Led by strong play up the middle, the Bucs accomplished the task against Gardner Webb, sweeping three games, 30-14, 30-19 and 30-21.
“We had to get focused,” sophomore middle hitter Lissa Allen said.
Indeed, head coach Deane Webb was pleased with the concentration of his players in their first non-league match of October.
He was particularly pleased with the play of Allen and freshman Natalie Atzinger up the middle.
The statistics back the coach up, as Atzinger led the Bucs with 15 kills. Allen tied for second most with eight, while racking up eight digs to boot.
Yet perhaps the most impressive number on the board was the 46 in the assists column for setter Carey Cavanaugh.
“You always have the perfect set when Carey’s setting,” Atzinger said, deflecting credit for the quality middle play to the standout senior.
Ironically, the greatest challenge the Bucs faced was when Bulldogs senior outside hitter Linette Ramseur turned an ankle in the first game.
“They really stepped it up,” Webb said of the Bulldogs when their leading lady left.
Yet, the Bucs matched their intensity, and even Ramseur’s eventual return was not enough to stop ETSU.
One factor that adds to the Bucs’ strength is the return of sophomore Rachel Shifflet, working her way back into the lineup after injury, who matched Allen with eight kills.
Currently, Shifflet is used in a rotation with starting outside hitter Kate Steidle, the team leader in kills who added to her season totals with seven kills and eight digs Tuesday.
Despite having only one at a time on the court, while the other sits down, Webb is most comfortable having either at his disposal.
“That’s a luxury,” he said.
The attention of the third-place Bucs now shifts to this weekend, which features the final two home games of the season, against two middling SoCon teams, which suffered losses to the Bucs over a month ago.
Furman comes calling at 7 p.m. on Friday, and Wofford will be the guest for Senior Day at Brooks Gym beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
ETSU then spends the entirety of November on the road, leading up to the Southern Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., from Nov. 16-18.

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