Kristina Dailing
Daily Egyptian
SIU volleyball head coach Sonya Locke isn't satisfied with how other coaches in the Missouri Valley Conference view her team.
The preseason poll was released by the MVC last week, allowing MVC coaches to rank teams according to how they believe the team will do in the upcoming season. SIU was ranked to end the season in eighth place in the 10-team conference.
Locke was disappointed by the ranking but continues to have high expectations of her team.
"I'm kind of speechless sometimes about it," Locke said. "I think our team deserves more respect than that."
Northern Iowa was picked to finish in first place, followed by Southwest Missouri State, Bradley, Illinois State, Wichita State, Indiana State, Creighton, SIU, Evansville and Drake.
SIU player Britten Follett has also seen the lack of respect the team has gotten in the MVC during the last few years but is not letting the low ranking be a discouragement.
"The polls go on previous standings," Follett said. "They don't mean all that much. If anything, it gives people some fire to come back and start the season off well."
With several returning players, Locke and players believe that they have the experience and talent to improve from past seasons.
"We are blessed with a lot of talent," said senior Kristie Kemner. "We know how to play and the sky is the limit."
Kemner and the other players have been working during the summer to improve their skills that will show on the court and help them be successful this season.
Locke remains encouraged by the team's hard work, talent and experience and knows that polls aren't how things have to end.
"I don't know that the preseason polls are true indicators," Locke said. "We exceeded what people picked us at last year, so I just say that it's fuel for our fire."
Last year, the team was picked to finish ninth in the preseason poll but finished in seventh place with an 11-19 overall and a 5-13 MVC record.
Although Locke was disappointed about the team ranking, she was excited that Kemner received individual recognition.
Kemner was named to the preseason All-Conference team. Kemner finished third in the MVC in kills (4.13) and fifth in digs (3.48) last season.
"She's very, very deserving," Locke said. "I'm just glad that the other coaches do see that she has that kind of talent."
Follett was also glad that her teammate was honored for her hard work and capabilities.
"She's a good all-around player," Follett said. "I'm a setter, she's a big hitter. She deserves it."
Kemner was very honored by her All-Conference award but contributes her success to the support of her teammates.
"I'm very thankful that they could see that in me," Kemner said. "But I wish that they could see that in the team as well."
Locke and players know that they have to play at a higher level next season and are using the ranking as motivation for improvement.
"We are seen as the underdog, so it relieves pressure of meeting these high expectations," Kemner said. "But we will surprise them all in the end."
Reporter Kristina Dailing can be reached at kdailing@dailyegyptian.com.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
