Girls' Volleyball Team Plans to Play Smart

The girls' volleyball team is going to show that it is smarts, not size, that matters.

Having only nine girls on the varsity squad, the Lady Cougars are looking to outsmart their opponents. Working on defensive drills in the off-season and still doing so as the season is a few games in, they're are seeing their efforts paying off.

In a game against Strath Haven on Sept. 7, head coach Ashley Murrin witnessed her troops outsmart a tough Strath Haven team, but fall late in the game. That is the type of play she expects for the entire season.

“What I am trying to get the girls to do is to play smart,” Murrin said. “We are not going to pound the ball every time. I am working on smart placement of the ball."

The Lady Cougars are fully aware they finished with a bellow .500 record last season. This season, the girls are more optimistic with a different game plan.

“We are really focusing on the fundamentals,” said senior captain Krissy Silio. “Volleyball is all about defense. You can’t have a good offense without a good defense. If you can serve a team off the court then that is going to get you more wins. All of us are giving our all at practice.”

Practice makes perfect and the Lady Cougars have had some grueling practices this season. Murrin is highly active at practice hitting them serves and having her girls breaking a sweat at all times.

“We are getting a lot better at it,” said senior captain Tori Grossi. “We just want to win. We are getting a lot better. The team is working really hard.”

Hard work has paid off on the court, as the team netted their first win against Harriton last week. With the first win under its belt, Springfield is looking to contend in a tough Central League.

“We've improved a lot since preseason,” said Silio. “I think we are just ready to take on the Central League. We are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Murrin doesn’t see why her troops can’t continue to outsmart teams.

“All of the girls know their roles on the team,” she said. “I am very happy with nine. We all get along fantastic. We're doing a lot of placement on our serving. It seems to be working for us.”

There you have it, faster, smarter and more precise than opponents. Those words are the best way to describe the Lady Cougars’ game plan this season.

Coach: Ashley Murrin (second season)

Last year: 5-13 overall (5-11 Central League)

Key Players: senior Michelle Gildea, senior Krissy Silio, senior Melynda Link, senior Tori Grossi and sophomore Rebecca Bennett

Games to watch: Sept. 16 at Radnor, Oct. 5 Strath Haven. 

Springfield Lady Cougars Schedule:

Aug 22. at Kennett High 9 a.m.

Aug. 30 at Archbishop Prendergast 11 a.m.

Sept. 2 Spring-Ford 11 a.m.

Sept. 7 at Strath Haven 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 at Harriton 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 12 Marple Newtown 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 14 Penncrest 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Radnor 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 19 Garnet Valley 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Ridley 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 23 Upper Darby 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 24 Haverford Tournament at Haverford 8 a.m.

Sept. 26 at Conestoga 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 27 Haverford 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Mount. St. Joseph 3:45 p.m.

Oct. 1 Perkiomen Valley Tournament at Perkiomen Valley 8 a.m.

Oct. 3 at Lower Merion 6 p.m.

Oct. 5 Strath Haven 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 Harriton 3:45 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Marple Newtown 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Penncrest 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 Radnor 7 p.m.