The Journal

Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Max Gersh Sophomore Abby Williams serves Oct. 2 during the second of three games against Fontbonne University.

Until Oct. 6, being undefeated in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference had not been enough for Webster to take sole possession of first place. But then Greenville College, who had been tied for first with Webster University, was beaten by Principia College. On Oct. 6, WU got their shot at Greenville, handing the Panthers their second conference loss of the season. This left WU alone and undefeated in conference.

A look at the statistics shows it will only be a matter of time before the Gorloks pull ahead of the rest of the SLIAC. The Gorloks lead the SLIAC in six of eight major statistical categories, including kills and blocks. The Gorloks do not have the highest total in many of the categories, because they have played fewer games than many of the other conference teams. When the averages are figured, WU takes the lead, averaging almost three blocks a game and nearly 15 kills per game.

Oddly enough, even though the team leads in multiple categories, they only have one player leading any of the individual categories. Junior Sarah Rusnak leads the SLIAC in blocks per game, averaging about one and a half.

The fact that the Gorloks are at the top of the team categories seems to imply that they would have a few of the individual statistical leaders too. However, this demonstrates how well WU has come together and is able to work as a team. By not needing to rely on one player to score all their points or perform well defensively, the entire team has become less prone to fatigue.

Although WU continued their success last week, they will need to keep it up this week and over fall break. While the game against Greenville on Oct. 6 was important, the game they play Oct. 9 at Principia will be another difference-maker. Principia is currently in second place, with only one conference loss this season. That loss came in the opening match of the year against WU. With WU at 11-0 and Principia at 10-1, this is a big game for both teams. They do not play each other for the rest of the season, so they will have to depend on the rest of the SLIAC to make up any ground lost with a loss Oct. 9.

The Gorloks now determine their own fate in the SLIAC. If they can replicate their success so far this season, they will easily obtain the top seed in the conference tournament.

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