This past week, as everyone along the Gulf Coast prepared for Hurricane Isaac to come ashore, the Creighton volleyball team created a tropical storm of their own in Tampa, Florida. The Jays hopped the plane back to Omaha on Sunday after knocking off UCF, South Florida, and Wisconsin to win the South Florida Invitational. Creighton is full of confidence heading into the Bluejay Invitational this weekend.
“I saw a heart from the team,” said CU coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth about her squad’s title effort in Tampa. “We were 2-13 last year when we lost the first game and this year in two occasions last weekend, we lost the first game [and came back to win the match]. Especially with a lot of youth on this team, I was really excited to see their composure and their belief. Confidence plays a big factor on whether you think you can come back and I think we are a confident group and that is good.”
As part of the South Florida Invite, Florida native Leah McNary had an opportunity to play in front of family and friends who lived just miles away in her hometown of Tarpon Springs. The sophomore had some key plays in the opening match against UCF, scoring 13 kills. Ironically, Wisconsin native Kelli Browning had a career performance against the Badgers in the championship game scoring 16 kills. Browning was a Wisconsin commit before deciding to come to Creighton. Both enjoyed having the opportunity to play in front of family and friends. It is an opportunity Bernthal Booth embraced and tried to create.
“We look for good tournaments that are going to help us RPI-wise. When you can go to a player’s home and play in front of their home court that is always an added bonus,” said Bernthal Booth. “I wasn’t looking to play Wisconsin, but Kelli said she was game to play whoever and Wisconsin is a great team. It just kind of worked out that way.”
To pile on the success, Megan Bober was named the CVU.com National Player of the Week as well as getting MVC Player of the Week honors for her performance almost garnering three triple-doubles to start her senior season. Freshman Kate Elman started at libero in her debut in a Creighton uniform and recorded 22 digs in the first match, the most by a player in their first match played at CU. Elman went on to record 56 digs over the weekend including another 22 against Wisconsin. Michelle Sicner was huge on the blocking side, earning all-tournament honors along with Bober. To cap off the weekend, the Bluejays received votes in the top 25 poll for the first time ever during the regular season.
The wins were a total team effort. Despite the 3-0 start, the first since 2006, head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth doesn’t want her team to feel like they are unbeatable.
“Obviously we don’t want to be over confident because we have to get a lot better. Where we want to get better is that we want every player to step up every match. I like a fact that a team can’t key on one player to carry a team. We need all six hitters to perform every single night. That is the challenge of coaches to get better,” she said.
This weekend, Creighton hopes to continue the streak as the Jays host an invite with Syracuse, Kansas State, and Denver. The Bluejays open against the Orange at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night, preceded by K-State and Denver at 3:30 p.m. Although Syracuse is picked to finish fifth in the Big East this season, the Orange will be a big test for the Bluejays as they respond to their early season success.
“They have two great outside hitters and an all-conference middle,” said Booth.
The biggest match of the weekend, however, may be against Kansas State in the 12:00 p.m. matchup on Saturday. The Wildcats come into the match ranked #21 nationally. They return all six starters along with their libero and will be a big challenge.
“They beat Nebraska last year when they were #1 in the country. They will be a great challenge and fun to play.” KSU went 3-0 last weekend and are led by All-American Kaitlynn Pelger.
A key to the early success has been the play of the freshmen, creating some great depth for the Bluejays early in the season. With Elman, Melanie Jereb and Ashley Jansen playing extensive rotations in the opening weekend, the idea was not just for Bernthal Booth to throw them into the fire right away, but to reward them for their hard work.
“In a sport like volleyball you tend to have a starting lineup. Everyone competed and they earned spots and it was a matter of playing our starters. Kate and Melanie were in the whole time, but that was a matter of the rotation we wanted to start in.”
Denver comes into Omaha with a 2-1 record including victories over Rhode Island and Virginia last weekend at the Rocky Mountain Invitational in Fort Collins. Although they lost to a ranked Colorado State team as part of that invitational, they will present a challenge to the Bluejays in the Saturday evening nightcap. With Syracuse and Denver having new coaches this season, that always makes Bernthal Booth nervous.
“I always get nervous. A new coach brings in a new energy and a new belief. All three teams are great opponents and we will need to be ready to play.”
A Little Fun
Last weekend before the final match against Wisconsin, the Creighton volleyball team had a little fun testing out their singing skills. While the theme this season so far has been the team’s chemistry, you can definitely see that for yourself in their rendition of an Aerosmith song.
Notes:
- All matches can be heard on the radio this weekend. On Friday night and Saturday night, the games can be heard on 1290 KOIL Saturday’s contest against Kansas State can be heard on 1180 Zone2.
- Creighton has never faced Syracuse or Denver, so this will be their first meeting. The Bluejays are 0-5 all-time against Kansas State.
- Creighton has never won its own Bluejay Invitational in the eight years it has been held.
- Creighton and Bradley are the only MVC teams still undefeated after the first weekend.
- Before Friday’s 6:00 p.m. matchup, there will be a CU Spirit Fest event outside of Sokol Arena sponsored by White & Blue Review, Creighton dining, Creighton Athletics, Creighton Program Board and IRHG where you can get free hotdogs, $1 brats and drinks for purchase. Be sure to also pick up your own WBR koozie to keep your drinks cold.