Sept. 26, 2005
Sharon Dingman's reputation as a volleyball coach who isn't afraid to go to her bench is intact. In the first 11 matches of her team's 2005 season, Dingman has used 11 or more players in every one of them, including 12 five times and 13 twice.
The Redbirds, 6-5 after back-to-back home wins over Drake and Creighton, step out of the Missouri Valley Conference to play at Saint Louis, 6-9 on Tuesday at the Baumann-Eberhardt Center. The Billikins' record is a bit misleading because SLU is already 2-0 against the Valley, with wins over Bradley and Drake. They also have Tatyana Menshikova, whose 5.37 kills per game rank No. 10 in the nation.
The Redbird depth showed its stuff in the team's three-game win over Creighton on Sunday. First, Dingman had to call upon sophomore Kristin Dziubla to sub for hitting percentage leader Kari Staehlin--out with an injured toe. Dziubla came up with a team-leading six blocks, seven kills and some key service points late in the games.
Dingman started Manoela Vieira DaCunha at one of the outside hitting positions, but Savannah Knowles came in for her late in game three and Knowles' first kill of the match was game point in a 34-32 thriller which put ISU up 2-0 in the match. The Redbird coach has frequently alternated Lindley McDavid and Mary Catherine Richmond on the right side as both have enjoyed success.
"It was huge to get two conference wins without Kari," said Dingman. "That says a lot about our depth. Our players have a lot of confidence in each other and in themselves. It showed over the weekend."
The Saint Louis match is a homecoming for the two Redbird freshman--the high-flying, free-swinging Richmond and setter Erin Lindsey, who is among the nation's leaders in set assists per game. Richmond went to Lindbergh High School while Lindsey is a Eureka High School graduate. Lindsey already has 538 set assists with 17 matches left; she could become the first Redbird freshman with 1,000 set assists in a season.
"It's a great opportunity for them to play at home," said Dingman. "It will be important for them to be able to control their emotions under those circumstances."
Dingman is thrilled with the production of her two St. Louisans.
"Erin is a mature, confident young woman with great skills and is very coachable," said Dingman. "M.C. (Richmond) just loves playing and that's invaluable on a team. She plays with energy and excitement, and is having the impact we thought she would have when we recruited her."
A year ago, the Redbirds visited Saint Louis and pulled out a five-game victory over the Bills. With the score tied at 12-12 in the fifth game, Savannah Knowles chased an errant dig around a net pole, passing it legally back into the Redbird side of the court to set up a lead-taking point. Fittingly, Knowles' 20th kill was match point a couple of minutes later. Knowles' pursuit ball is a play Dingman won't ever forget.
"Talk about perseverance to the ball," said Dingman. "That play showed this team's attitude for the past two years. You're going to have to play really hard to beat us. We will play hard to the last point. That play was indicative of that attitude."
The Redbirds continue their road schedule with conference games Friday at Southern Illinois and Saturday at Evansville.
