Women's Volleyball

One year can make a big difference, at least through the first half of the season.

The 2008 Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team is finding that out after a 3-1 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday (Sept. 27) helped the Lions improve to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in Lone Star Conference play. The nine wins overall and three in conference play both match the team’s total in all of 2007. It took 15 games for the Lions to pick up both this year, while last year the ninth and third victory came on Oct. 20.

“All that says is that we have been better through the first half of the season,” said Lions head volleyball coach Mark Pryor. “There is a lot of season left, and we still have a lot of work to do.”

After starting the season with a 3-4 record, A&M-Commerce picked up some momentum and reeled off a season-high three straight victories and has now won six of their last eight matches dating back to Sept. 12.

“There has been some luck involved with that, but there always is some when you win a five-game conference match on the road (SWOSU), then another long four-game conference match on the road as well (ECU),” said Pryor. “I would say our work in the weight room has really helped them out…we are just in better shape now than when we started the season. That will definitely need to continue due to our depth this year.”

Injuries have plagued the team this year, but the Lions have continued to fight and a big reason for their recent success is the play from juniors Lauren Flynn and Alyssa Oberle. Flynn has recorded 309 digs and leads the LSC with 5.52 digs per set. She has accumulated 1,575 digs for her career and needs just 69 more to take over the No. 1 spot in the A&M-Commerce record books. Flynn has also been named LSC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.

“To say that (Flynn) has been huge for us would be an understatement,” said Pryor. “With the defense that we are running, it allows Lauren the freedom to make reads, and it allows her natural instincts as a defender to take over.”

“Our sideout offense and our transition offense all begin with her. I know everyone wants to see the big kills, but without her, that would never happen. This program is lucky to have her here,” added Pryor.

Oberle has slammed a team-high 158 kills, including 101 (12.62 per match) over the last eight matches. She tallied a career-high 22 kills in a 3-2 win over Southeastern Oklahoma St. and has led the team in kills in five of those eight games.

“Alyssa has been a pleasant surprise,” said Pryor. “She has provided some much needed punch to our left side hitting, and I think that with an entire off season to really work on a few things, she can plan an even larger role for us next fall.”

Perla Faudoa, who has also been an integral part to the team’s early success, has collected 513 assists. Morgan Ballard and Rachel Lance have made large contributions as well, joining Oberle with triple digit kills.

“I am extremely pleased with each player on the team,” said Pryor. “I could not be more proud of them. Every person on the roster is getting better, stronger and smarter. I think that as individuals they are beginning to understand accountability to teammates and accountability to themselves as individuals.”

The Lions get a break this week from conference action and will look to continue their stong play as they head to Arkadelphia, Ark. to play Ouachita Baptist on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a 10 a.m. matchup against Henderson State on Saturday.