Hard Hitting Lady Wildcats Keep Hopes High

For those of you who caught the football game against Oklahoma State last Thursday I feel your pain. A loss of 37-14 brings back painful memories of the season ender Alamo Bowl last year. Oklahoma State is one of the top ten teams in the nation and unfortunately the cats took on the cowboys without senior receiver, Juron Criner due to an appendectomy. The procedure may have Criner out for the next two weeks which does not bode well as we face 6^th nationally ranked Stanford this upcoming Saturday. When I had my appendectomy I had trouble just getting out of my bed so I guess I can understand doctors not wanting Criner to be tackled by 200 plus pound guys.
            The team will be looking to Head coach Mike Stoops and Senior quarterback Nick Foles to keep spirits high and hopes alive. For the rest of you who may find yourselves lacking school spirit you should meander on down to McKale center first chance and cheer on the lady wildcat volleyball team. In this last weekend’s Evansville Dunn Hospitality Invitational the cats took it all. The first night versus UIC freshman Chloe Mathis stepped up with 24 digs followed by sophomore Emily Helm with 19 digs. The game ended with match scores of 25-16, 25-22, 25-20.
            The next day the cats went on to sweep Southeast Missouri State 3-0 tallying up a 6 straight match record. Freshman outside hitter Madi Kingdon came through with 18 kills and was the leading hitter of the game. Kingdon continued to hit hard in the second match of the day versus host team, Evansville. She totaled up 16 kills alongside fellow hitters, senior Curtsy Jackson with 14, and senior Marketa Hanzlova with 12. The hitters wouldn’t have been able to shine if it wasn’t for freshman setter Chloe Mathis who ended the tournament with an impressive 41 assists.
            Conference play for the cats will begin Friday the 16^th at Oregon and continue at Oregon State the following night, Saturday. Both games will begin 7 PT. Head coach David Rubio commented on superior serving during the first night and said “it was nice to go 3-0 this weekend. It was generally a good weekend for us. I was happy with everyone, everyone played well, but we still need to get better.” The first home game will be versus Washington, Friday the 23^rd at 7 MST. Congratulations to the Lady Wildcats in winning the Evansville Dunn Hospitality Invitational you ladies are tight like spandex.