After a 2-2 start, the Northwest volleyball team hopes consistency can lead to a more successful outing this weekend.
The Bearcats became the comeback kids of the Nebraska-Omaha's Comfort Inn & Suites and Firewater Grille Tournament, last Friday and Saturday.
After losing their first match both Friday and Saturday, the 'Cats rallied back to win their second matches both days.
"It was really good to see us bounce back after both of our losses to get the wins each day," coach Anna Tool said. "Now, we just have to get that win early on as well."
On Friday, the 'Cats lost the opening match to Michigan Tech, 3-1. They then went on to beat Minnesota-Crookston 3-1 later that night.
Two of the 'Cats who shined on Friday were junior co-captain Rachel Nisi and sophomore Amber Ryan.
Nisi recorded the 12th and 13th double-double of her career, scoring double-digit figures in both kills and digs in both of Friday's games.
Amber Ryan, whom Tool said was the most consistent player of the weekend, also stood out.
"We need to be able to push the ball to her even more when she is playing that good," Tool said.
Ryan hit above .300 in both of the 'Cats' Friday games. In their first match, Ryan hit .316 and added nine kills to the team's total while in the second match she hit a career best .524 and had 12 kills.
"In practice, we have been working on running quicker hits, and I think that definately carried out onto the court," Ryan said.
Saturday showed similar results after losing to Minnesota State-Moorhead, 3-0, the 'Cats rebounded to defeat Mary (N.D.), 3-1.
Ryan made it three in a row as she hit above .300 once more in the loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead.
Ryan played consistently, but it was true freshman Alex Hanna who stole the show in the win over Mary (N.D.) Tool said.
"It was nice to see all of our hard work in practice pay off," Hanna said.
Hanna had a tournament high 18 kills against Mary (N.D.). She also hit a strong .412 for the match.
"I think, overall for our first tournament, we did pretty good," Ryan said. "When we got going, we did really good but there is definitely room for improvement."
The 'Cats hope to make those improvements in time for their tournament in Joplin Mo., this weekend.
"When we get on a roll, it is really hard to stop us," Ryan said. "We need to be able to stay motivated when we get on a roll like that."
Tool thinks in order to compete with the four teams they will face in the Missouri Southern Invitational, they need to be sharper on the court and develop more persistence.
The four teams that stand in the 'Cats' way are Drury (Mo.), Midwestern State (Texas), Central Oklahoma and Dallas Baptist.
Drury finished the 2007 season with a 15-15 record, and the 'Cats swept Dallas Baptist 3-0, in their match last season.
The two teams the 'Cats need to keep an eye on are the teams who performed well in the tough Lone Star Conference last year.
Central Oklahoma finished the season with 32-7 record and advanced to the national tournament semifinals, but they are struggling to replace their two best players from last season, including their All-American libero, Mari Araujo.
The Bronchos are already off to a 0-4 start this season.
Midwestern State finished last year 27-6. They also made the school's first appearance in the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional tournament. The Mustangs went 4-0 in their first tournament.
The 'Cats start off the tournament at 4 p.m., Friday, in Joplin, with their opening match against Drury (Mo.).
"I expect us to be competitive with every team we see," Tool said. "I am confident that we can go in there and put up a strong showing. I fully expect us to walk away 4-0."
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