The Javelina Volleyball team fell short against the Mary-Hardin Baylor University Knights on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2-1.
The Javelinas hosted the game against the Knights at 2.p.m in the Steinke Physical Education Center.
Head Volleyball Coach Tanya Allen said the team still has time to figure out the strength of the fairly new team.
“We are trying new lineups to see what works since it is very early in the season and we are trying to capitalize on our girls’ strengths,” Allen said.
Some students in the stands realized the team’s strengths and weaknesses right away.
“I will go to many more games. They’re doing good keeping the ball over the [other side of the] net and keeping the game close. But I think they need to move their feet more from what I’m seeing right now,” said Ali Walters, a petroleum engineering major at Texas A&M University Kingsville.
Allen noticed the girls implementing what they had practiced.
“The girls did a good job on serving; they have been trying new serves to control the ball to go in a certain direction and they did a good job executing that,” Allen said.
The team is made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores and Allen sees it as an advantage and disadvantage.
“The team is very young and inexperienced. The majority are new to the program and are trying to build chemistry and bring the best out of each other. We do have a lot of talent, but sometimes we get tense and we are not bringing the best out of each other,” Allen said.
However, it is still early in the season and the Javelinas have time to build their chemistry.
“I think it’s fair to say that this is a fairly new team working together, so I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that this is just some preseason jitters. Overall, from what I saw, they seemed like they worked really well together as a team and trust one another,” Stacy Gwyneth, an English major, said.
The Javelinas will be flying to Miami Florida for the Barry’s Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30, before hosting Western New Mexico on Sept. 7 at the Steinke Physical Education Center.
