By COLLIN ZINK, Student Reporter
After a 1-9 start to the season, Northwestern’s volleyball team has shown signs of improvement.
Prior to Northwestern’s losses to Arkansas Tech and Harding Friday and Saturday, head coach Fred Aubuchon said the team was doing well. Aubuchon said the team is improving. Players won two of their previous three games and reached many goals.
Aubuchon said the team broke down the season intro three parts: the 1-9 start to the season, achieving the goal of going 5-5 in the next 10 games and obtaining an above .500 record during the 10-game stretch.
Aubuchon said players still have more work to do. He said the offense has become more balanced, but the defense needs to improve on blocking.
Aubuchon said senior outside hitter Kaydee Honeycutt has been an impact on the team.
“When she’s playing well, we are doing well,” Aubuchon said.
The Rangers have been playing teams ranked near or in the Top 25, which is where the team wants to be.
“It’s tough,” Aubuchon said. “They are up there for a reason. It shows where we need to get to.”
Abigail Burns, a freshman setter, said the team is doing well and is improving. She also said she hopes to advance to the post-season.
“I see us in the GAC Tournament at the end of the season,” Burns said.
Burns said players need to work together more and develop teamwork with younger members.
Burns said the beginning of the season was a struggle, but once she understood how Aubuchon runs things, she played better.
The Rangers have 81 aces so far this season, with redshirt sophomore setter Abby Davis getting two in a row in a quick 2-0 lead in the first set against Harding on Saturday.
Northwestern lost to Harding, 3-1, but won the first set. The Rangers lost Friday night’s match against Arkansas Tech, 3-0.
Since Sept. 24, the Rangers have gone 5-6, with the four wins coming against Bethel College, Central Christian College, Oklahoma Christian University and Henderson State University.
Northwestern will face the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils Friday at 6 p.m. in Monticello, Arkansas. The Rangers will head into that matchup with a 7-16 record.
The next home game for the Rangers will be on Nov. 2, when they play Southern Nazarene at 7 p.m. Senior night will be Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. against Southwestern.