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11/14/2002 - Women's Volleyball
Mids Play Friday for Playoff Berth

The Navy volleyball team will try to secure a spot in the Patriot League playoffs Friday night when the Midshipmen play in their regular-season finale at American. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. in Bender Arena.

The Midshipmen have posted an 8-5 record this season and currently are tied with Bucknell for third place in the Patriot League, with both teams holding one-match leads over Army. Navy advances to the playoffs with a victory over American or a loss by Army to Holy Cross Saturday night. Bucknell reaches the playoffs should Navy or Army lose or the Bison defeat Colgate, while Army needs a victory over the Crusaders and a loss by either Navy or Bucknell to advance to postseason play.

"We control our own destiny," said Navy head coach Mike Schwob. "There is no need to think or worry about any other match. If we can take care of business on our own floor, it doesn't matter what anyone else does. We have been in must-win situations for the last two weeks and have responded well each time. I expect the same response Friday."

The Mids have dropped all three matches to American since the Eagles joined the Patriot League at the start of the 2001 season, but have had more success in each successive match. After being swept and totaling just 56 points in the first meeting between the two schools, Navy came within two points of taking a game off of the Eagles in the second match of 2001. In the first contest of the 2002 season, Navy won the opening game against the Eagles despite being without the services of 2001 Second-Team All-Patriot League performer Ashley Van Hartesvelt (So., Breckenridge, Colo.).

Navy enters Friday's match having won four-straight matches and surrendering just two games in that span.

"We are playing our best volleyball of the season right now," said Schwob. "We have every reason to feel confident about our chances Friday night."

Navy and American have both posted similar statistics, despite American's 13-0 record in the league. The Eagles are averaging just two more kills a game than the Midshipmen, with the two teams recording an almost identical number of blocks, digs, service aces and assists. The widest statistical gap between the two teams is in hitting percentage, where American is hitting .150 points higher than Navy and allowing opponents to hit .062 points lower than Navy's foes.

"We can't afford any breakdowns against American," said Schwob. "We need to play a complete match, both offensively and defensively, and take advantage of the opportunities we are able to create."