The Oaks coed 6-on-6 intramural volleyball team defeated Erics in the first playoff game of the season on Tuesday, March 5, at the Student Recreation Center.
The Oaks have a 1-2 regular season record, but the 25-11 win means they will face the Oaks on March 18th. The team, consisting of three men and three women, started the match five minutes late due to the late arrival of the opposing team.
Midway through the first set, sophomore forensics and forensic science Mia Rust dove for the ball, keeping it in play and holding a steady lead. Going into the team's first season playing together, the goal in the preseason was to make the playoffs.
Erics was short on players, and Oaks had the upper hand in the match.
“I served where the missing player was supposed to be,” Rust said. “That made it difficult for my opponent to serve and receive. I think this gave me an advantage in the match.”
After missing multiple serves at the start of the second set, Oakes chased Elix. As the set progressed, Oaks setter and second-year electrical engineering student Ali Rashid switched to “home base” after each serve, a strategy that made it easier to hit the passing set and potentially score. Told. This strategy allowed the Oaks to make the score 20-15 and end the Erics' short lead.
After 30 minutes of play, fourth-year animal science student Gwen Gardner scored the winning goal. The ace was Gardner's first winning serve, making the final score 25-16.
“I hit a lot of good serves throughout the match, and the encouragement and encouragement from my team made serving the game point even more special,” Gardner said.
After the game, Rust said he was looking forward to seeing how the Oaks' teamwork and camaraderie improved through the playoffs.
“You can see our teamwork improve every game we play together,” Rust said. “We are getting a better understanding of how each of us plays together and the best way to work with each other.”
The Oaks will be played at the Student Rec Center on Monday, March 18th at 6:40 p.m. For more information on his season in the Oaks playoffs, visit imleagues.com through TAMU email.
Hannah Murphy is a second-year journalism student and contributed this article from the course JOUR 359, “Reporting Sports.” battalion.
