It’s been over 20 years since the Scot’s volleyball team has had a new head coach. New Coach Emily Thebeau went to Greenville College (since changed to Greenville University) where she played volleyball for two years. She then went back to coach for two years. She then went on to coach high school club volleyball for the last five years in the St. Louis Missouri area. Coach Thebeau said her transition to head coach was made easy because she grew up, played and coached in a small town. When asked about team goals Coach Thebeau said, “One goal that the team is focusing on is our culture. The girls are so wonderful with each other, but we are trying to take it to the next level, to make it our own. We are all on the same page and are truly trying to build something special.”
The team is off to a great start as they beat both Lincoln Christian University 3-1 and Principia 3-0 at the season-opening Monmouth College Invitational on Saturday. LCU beat the Scots in the first set 25-19, but the Scots won set two 25-13. They continued winning sets three and four with 25-22 and 25-19 respectively. Monmouth had 40 kills compared to LCU’s 37, and only 8 aces compared to LCU’s 14. 10 of those kills and one ace came from Sophomore Hannah Jones, and Senior Ashley Farris had 9. Monmouth also only had 11 errors compared to LCU’s 19. Against Principia the Scot’s won 26-24 in the first set, and then 25-19 and 25-13 in the second and third sets respectively. Monmouth again had 40 kills compared to PCVB’s 31. Junior Riley Cook led the Scot’s in kills the second game with 12. Monmouth had only 6 errors compared to PCVB’s 15 Scot’s finish the weekend with a 2-0 record.
On Tuesday the Scots hosted Eureka College. The Scots continued their winning streak winning 3-0. The Scots won the first set 25-12. The third and second set scores were 25-21 and 25-15 both sets going to Monmouth. The Scots had 39 kills compared to Eureka’s 22. Monmouth Senior Lauren Sperry led the team with 8 kills. Monmouth Junior Renee Rude led the team in digs with 16. The Scots are now 3-0. Next the Scots will head to the North Central Invitational. September 6-7.
Loren Fox - Contributing Writer