Box Score
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The No. 20 Metro State volleyball team fell 25-23, 25-17, 25-15 at No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul in the NCAA Central Region championship match in St. Paul, Minn., on Saturday. The loss ended a stretch of 13 wins in 14 matches and ended the season with a 26-8 record. CU improved to 34-0 on the season with the sweep.
The loss also snapped a three-match winning streak against teams ranked in the top-15 in the AVCA. Metro State won its first two matches in the NCAA Tournament, the most postseason wins in school history.
Amy Watanabe (Littleton, Colo./Heritage H.S.) went out with a strong final collegiate match, digging 18 balls to lead both teams. Fellow senior
Gabe Curtis (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) dished out 26 assists and had seven digs, four kills and two blocks.
Bri Morley (Parker, Colo./Cherokee Trail H.S.) led the team with 11 kills and added seven digs.
Metro State hit just .171 (35-16-111), while the Golden Bears connected at a .352 (48-11-105) mark. The Roadrunners continued to block well, as they have on their recent hot streak, totaling six team blocks, as
Julie Causseaux (Dumas, Texas/Dumas H.S.) and
Shayne Kovach (Fruita, Colo./Fruita Monument H.S.) each had three total blocks.
After scoring the first point of the match on a solo block by Kovach, Metro State spotted CU six points to fall behind 6-1 in the first set. But the Roadrunners battled back and cut the lead to 17-16 after three straight points off kills from
Emily Greenhalgh (Conifer, Colo./Conifer H.S.), Causseaux and Morley with senior
Amanda Cook (Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue East H.S.) at the service line.
The Golden Bears briefly regained control, taking a 20-17 lead, but Metro State scored five of the next six points to lead 22-21 and force a CU timeout. The Golden Bears forced a pair of attack errors out of the timeout and ended the set scoring four of the final five points. The Roadrunners hit .200 (15-6-45) in the first set and held the Golden Bears to .231 (14-5-39).
The second set was even early on with CU leading 14-12, but Concordia scored four of the next five to go up 18-13 to hold on for the set win.
The Roadrunners fell apart after trailing 8-7 in the third set, allowing a 13-4 run as CU jumped ahead 21-11 to put the set away. CU hit .455 (18-3-33) in the final set and held Metro State to just .103 (7-4-29).
Metro State had four players named to the 12-player Central Region All-Tournament team as Watanabe, Curtis, Morley and Causseaux each earned those honors.
Watanabe graduated as Metro State's all-time digs leader with 1,640 in her career. She moved into first place in September. She also finished third in sets played with 468, sixth in matches played with 124 and eighth in service aces with 141.
Curtis wrapped up her career ranked second all-time in Metro State history in assists, totaling 3,331 in her three-year career. She was also fifth in assists per set at 10.96.
Anna Mapes (Chaska, Minn./Chaska H.S.), who did not play Saturday, set the Metro State single season record for hitting percentage at .396 (248-50-500).
Metro State will say goodbye to three seniors as Watanabe, Curtis and Cook all played their final matches in a Metro State uniform.
Central Region All-Tournament Team
Amy Watanabe (Littleton, Colo./Heritage H.S.), Metro State
Gabe Curtis (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.), Metro State
Bri Morley (Parker, Colo./Cherokee Trail H.S.), Metro State
Julie Causseaux (Dumas, Texas/Dumas H.S.), Metro State
Alyssa Nelson, Minnesota Duluth
Rachel Jacobson, Minnesota Duluth
Jennifer Hefner, Wayne State College
Cassie Haag, Concordia University
Maggie McNamara, Concordia University
Mary Slinger, Concordia University
Sadie Kessler, Concordia University
Megan Carlson, Concordia University
Postgame Quotes
Video Link for Postgame Interview
Head Coach Debbie Hendricks:
Opening statement: "I was really pleased with the way we came out and competed in that first game. We played phenomenal defense. We served tough and we knew coming into this match we were going to have to be very aggressive to be close in this match. In the first game we had some opportunities and we just didn't capitalize there in the end. In the second and third game we didn't make some of the defensive adjustments that we need to make in order to win the match. I was really pleased with our heart and grit to compete in this match. Concordia is just a phenomenal team and we wish them the best of luck in the tournament. Tonight they were the better team for sure."
On aggressive blocking: "We knew we really had to be aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. I think we did a pretty nice job of having a strong presence at the net. We would have like to have been on there side of the net a little more. I think it is one of those things you have to do to try slow Concordia down. If we succeeded at our blocking game we were hoping to channel some of that progress to the other aspects of our game. Once we channeled we still weren't able to make the plays when we needed them. A lot of that is just because these are some amazing hitters. They see the floor very well and put the ball exactly where they want to. They can be very hard to stop."
On strong finish: "I think we were very fortunate to just peak at the right time. Some of that had to do with the work, we started really strong but we needed to be tested. There was a part of our conference schedule by some teams who really got after it and we really weren't prepared for it. At the time it was demoralizing, it forced us to get in the trenches together and decide where we wanted to be at the end. We were able started to grow and we created a lot of trust, and depth and purpose in what we were doing. I think that was reflective on the end of the season. We peaked at just the right time of the season. I think it was a team effort, especially today. We all had a commitment to each other and what we were trying to do. There is an awful lot of heart in this group of players and coaches. I think that is probably why it went the way it did."
On lighter side, game of rock-paper-scissors in pre-game warm-up: "Basically playing team rock paper scissors. We've had a lot of arguments about how to go about playing the game. I actually stole it from a friend. The teams are trying to advance to the opposite side by winning each individual game. What we found really early on was it just relaxed us. They got to where if we didn't get enough time to get out there and play this game we were in trouble. I cut some of my speeches short to get them out there and play. It just relaxes us before warm-ups.
Junior libero Amy Watanabe (Littleton, Colo./Heritage H.S.)
On her digging tonight: “To be honest I don't know how I got a couple of them. It was just practicing all year long. Tonight I tried not to watch their arms but watch the ball."
Senior setter Gabrielle Curtis
On becoming second all-time in assists at Metro State: “Well to be honest I did not know that. I don't know it's bittersweet you know. You never know when its going to be your last game. I couldn't be more proud of this group of girls. I had no idea I'd ever get the chance to play my fifth year. I'm really happy to be where we are. Every team ends up ending their season with a loss except for the national champion. Losing to the number one team in the country with a team of sophomores. We had our middle missing this evening and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her husband. There is life beyond volleyball. Its amazing to be on a team with this much heart. There is no better feeling than playing with your best friends. This year was just a year of tremendous opportunity. The season was like a roller coaster ride. I had no idea we were going to get this far. I'm leaving this year with nothing but great memories from this team and our coach. It feels good."
On determination and playing loose: "I think our mentality was to take it point for point and play by play. Every huddle we were in were said we can't do any better than our best. You can't get overwhelmed especially with a team like Concordia because they are going to see that. You have to play like them if you want to keep up with them. When you look over to the other side of the net and they are calm and know what they are doing, that is what good teams are like. We were watching them the other night and they could be down by nine but if you look at their faces its like they're winning. A championship team doesn't get crossed up."
