Following a season-opening sweep of Chicago State, the Bowling Green volleyball team has suffered back-to-back straight-set losses to Illinois and Cincinnati on their home court.
The loss to Cincinnati on Sunday highlighted the team’s youth and inexperience as a cohesive unit.
“One thing that we told the team is it’s just a non-negotiable for us; we are not going to have anybody outcompete us. That’s something that’s completely in our control. What we talked about before the game was focusing on things that are in our control: how we stay together, how we play for each other, how we compete hard for one point, that’s all we ask them, and then we do the next point,” head coach Danijela Tomic said postgame. “That didn’t happen today. That doesn’t sit well with any of us; I know our players are disappointed because they know that that’s just not us.
However, these growing pains should be expected for a team with nine new faces (six freshmen and three transfers) in their huddle, the most newcomers for the program since the 2013 season.
“We as coaches are trying also to learn about our new players. What can they do under these lights? How do they perform in a match? This is the time that we have to give them those opportunities, those chances to figure out,” Tomic said. “This is a team with half of the players are new, and our preseason serves for us as coaches to find a lot of answers to the questions that we have.”
While having youth on a team can be very good, it can also lead to a longer and more challenging process of establishing a group’s playing style or identity.
“What the identity of this team is going to be, that’s to be seen,” Tomic said. “We are still figuring out some personnel, some positions with outsides, with centers, with defense. We knew that that’s going to be a process for us coaches, and that’s why we have non-conference to figure some things out.”
While a team never wants to start a season with back-to-back losses or a losing record, Tomic believes this early adversity will help the team be stronger and more resilient as the season progresses.
“If you’re going to have losses like this, I’ll take this loss this early in the season knowing that we’re going to be better at the end of the season because of this,” she said. “I think this was good for our team. Again, full benefit, we’re going to grow, we’re going to develop, we’re going to be better. I can tell you every season, every team that I’ve coached, losses like this made us better.”
Although getting swept in back-to-back matches may sting for the Orange and Brown, graduate defensive specialist Lindsey LaPinta has 100% confidence the Falcons will rebound.
“Back-to-back losses obviously doesn’t feel good, but I think we have a team that is resilient, especially after last season. I know last year we came back from a six-match loss streak, so I have complete confidence in our ability to do it,” LaPinta said. “Every new teammate that we have has the same work ethic as everyone who was here last year. So, I know we’re going to figure it out.”
While Tomic realizes it is unrealistic for the Falcons to win every game on their schedule, especially against opponents the likes of Illinois and Cincinnati, she expects the Falcons to be better the next time they step out onto the Mo and Jon Stansbery Court at the Stroh Center.
“We’ll learn from this, and we will be better,” Tomic said. “I think when people see us on Sept. 20, when we get back home for the next home match against Ohio State, they’ll see a different team.”
