Gamecocks look to bounce back after first 2 conference losses
The South Carolina volleyball team’s perfect record was tarnished this past weekend when it lost both of its SEC matches against Auburn and No. 21 Tennessee 3-1.
“It was a bit of a gut check, seeing as we were 13-0 and going into that trip we might have had some misconceptions about the level that we were going to be facing,” said coach Scott Swanson. “The good thing was we still fought back both times and both matches were very close.”
As a result, South Carolina now sits at 13-2 overall with a 2-2 record in SEC play.
This Friday, the Gamecocks return home to face their highest-ranked opponent to date, the No. 12 Florida Gators, who are undefeated through one match of SEC play so far.
Swanson said he thinks that despite their opponent’s prowess, his team can rise to the occasion and has the ability to pull off the upset on their home court.
“Traditionally, Florida has dominated the SEC. We’re definitely the underdog and I kind of like that position,” Swanson said. “Our players don’t have all the pressure on them; the pressure is really on Florida to come in here and not get upset by an upstart team like us.”
Leading the Gamecocks this year in almost all statistical categories has been junior outside hitter Juliette Thevenin. She was named the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 17, and Swanson said she’s key to South Carolina’s success.
“Juliette is always the X-factor for us. She passes, plays defense, blocks and really does it all,” Swanson said. “She provides experience for our team and she is the player who all the other teams are aiming to stop.”
Thevenin’s success is also a product of her teammates, Swanson said. Senior setter Taylor Bruns and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Cara Howley also provide a veteran presence on the court.
“Taylor Bruns is a great leader on the court as our setter, and Cara Howley is new as a middle but she is improving every day and working super hard,” Swanson said. “Then we have some younger players contributing and getting time as well.”
With the rising level of competition as the season progresses, Swanson said he knows it is necessary to get the momentum back in South Carolina’s favor going forward.
“We understand what is at stake. We’re in the middle of SEC play now. We were 2-0 and just like that we’re 2-2,” Swanson said. “We need to be able to win the ones that we’re supposed to win and at the very least be competitive in all the rest of them.”
As the competition gets better and the Gamecocks host more SEC teams, Swanson hopes there will be even greater incentive for fans to come out and watch.
“It’s one of those matches where people can come out and see some of the best athletes in the country,” Swanson said. “The support we have been getting has been awesome, the more people who come out, the better our team will play.”