Sports Editor Matthew Yannie sat down and spoke with libero and defensive specialist† Kelley Johnson í13. Johnson, in her first year with the Scots, has contributed 535 digs this season, second overall in the NCAC.
Johnson is replacing Ali Drushal í09, who was an All-American libero during her junior and senior seasons for the volleyball team.
MY: What has contributed most to the teamís 10-match-winning streak in conference play?
KJ: Our team has really developed a sense of togetherness.† We really get along on the court and off, and that has helped in our success.
MY: The team lost its past two matches, against Mt. Vernon Nazarene [University] and Malone [College]. Do you see this as being problematic in terms of momentum or confidence going into the NCAC tournament?
KJ: I saw the losses, if anything, as being helpful in our teamís success. Both teams are NAIA schools so it showed us where we need to be and things we need to work on to help us improve in preparation for matches against Kenyon [College] and Hiram [College] leading up to the conference tournament.
MY: The last match against Hiram resulted in a three set loss. What about the team has changed since that loss and the two losses against Wittenberg [University] midseason?
KJ: In the loss against Hiram all three sets were really close, and since that loss weíve wanted to get back at them. Weíre all pretty pumped up and motivated to have another chance at them.
MY: Has the success weíve seen in conference since those three midseason losses built a team that is more ready to play those top teams a second time around?
KJ: We are definitely ready. We are high in the conference and the match against Hiram will determine who gets second [place]. Regardless of the result we would play them in the tournament, but the fact that we can be second is pushing us.
MY: Coming in as a first-year you had a big void to fill at the libero position with the graduation of an All-American in Ali Drushal í09. How much pressure did you feel to perform at a high level?
KJ: I knew, coming in, that the team had really strong hitters and I knew about the success of Ali and the other graduating seniors. I had a good opportunity to step in and make an impact on the team. It was a lot easier to do that because the team was very welcoming, especially the experienced seniors, in supporting me in my role on the team.
MY: At what point in this season did you get the sense that this team had the potential to excel and contend for a conference championship?
KJ: During the first winning streak of the season I started to realize that we had the potential to be really good.
MY: How much did having the key components on offense returning this season help as you were stepping into your new role with some of the pieces of the puzzle already put together around you?
KJ: Having a strong offensive line, which is also the first line of defense with blocks, made it easier knowing that every player around me was able to do their job and contribute.
MY: What does this team still need to improve on in the next few matches in order to dethrone the unbeaten Wittenberg Tigers?
KJ: We need to have a total domination of our matches, and once we get ahead we need to be able to make a statement and shut the other team down.† Momentum and our drive to succeed will be key in that effort, and each person doing their individual job to help the team succeed as a whole.