Impressive Winning Streak Keeps Pointers in Good Position

Connor Daniels cdani404@uwsp.edu

It has been quite a storybook season for the women’s volleyball team. Beginning the season with a 5-3 record, the Pointers have now won 21 of their last 22 games.

Stevens Point, ranked 21st in the nation, holds a 24-4 record. Currently in the middle of a 13 match winning streak, the Pointers seem to have found their groove.

Head coach Abbey Sutherland has enjoyed the success in her first year as head coach and recognizes the importance of everyone on the team.

“I knew it was possible because of our youth and because of the freshmen. We’ve had some leadership from the upperclassmen and they’ve just jelled. It’s been great,” Sutherland said.

There are a few key areas that the Pointers have addressed during their streak. Junior Sarah Breuer noticed how the team has transformed throughout the season.

“We’ve really come together as a team. We spend a lot of time together and really challenge each other,” Breuer said.

The Pointers used the positive team chemistry and turned it into success. Sophomore Emma Brunkhorst explained how the Pointers do not back down.

“We’ve been on a steady rise all season. I think we fight back all the time. We’ll go down two games, come back and win it,” Brunkhorst said. The Pointers have won some impressive games to maintain their winning streak this season.

On Sept. 13, the Pointers were losing the first two matches against 22nd ranked Wartburg College, only to come back to win the final three matches to secure the victory.

Another large matchup came against the 17th ranked UW-Whitewater on Sept. 25.

Like the Wartburg matchup, the Pointers were down by two matches and came storming back for the upset.

With the recent sweep at the Loras College Invitational, the Pointers have experienced leadership all across the court.

Junior Alexis Hartman was named all-tournament team honors for her impressive playing throughout the Loras College Invitational.

“Alexis does a great job of running the offense. She makes really good decisions,” Sutherland said.

Hartman has been trying to keep the team focused throughout the team’s winning streaks.

“Experience is a big role that I play just from playing since my freshman year. I know what it’s like and that everyone needs to stay calm and level headed,” Hartman said. “It’s a very young group. It’s great to see the energy and drive and everyone wanting to succeed.”

Despite the record Sutherland wants the team to stay focused on the task at hand, which is fixing the small details.

“We have weaknesses that we need to work on. It’s tough to sometimes see those when you’re winning,” Sutherland said.

With just a few matches left before the conference tournament, Stevens Point is trying to finish strong and have success in the playoffs.

“We would love to be conference champions so we get an automatic bid for the NCAA tournament,” Hartman said.

“We need to get prepared for the conference tournament. So just finding a lot more momentum and confidence and always getting better because we’re still in the developmental stage with being so young,” Sutherland said.

The Pointers have the potential to go deep into the playoffs this season. Stevens Point’s next home match comes on Friday, Oct. 26 where they will take on UW-Superior, who holds a record of 16-10, with a 1-5 conference record. 

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