Lady Bearcats adopt team chemistry over Oakwood College

By: Kimberly Brown, Staff Writer, The Rustorian

Posted: 11/13/09

Miracles do come true, especially when it comes to the Rust College Lady Bearcats volleyball team. With new players and a highly determined coach, the Lady Bearcats has "the potential to be great," said Brittany "BJ" Baxter, a returning sophomore from Chicago, Ill.

The team had an exciting victory over Oakwood College winning three sets to one Tuesday night. Second year Coach Brandon Reeves after the team's stellar performance said he was "happy but not satisfied."

He believes the team is capable of more commanding victories and believes they have a bright future ahead if they work hard and play as a team.

Trying to bring the Lady Bearcats' name from the bottom to the top where the most revered colleges rest has not been an easy task. Reeves has worked diligently to recruit the best talents from across the country.

These ladies from as far as Texas to Illinois and Tennessee are clearly some of the best volleyball players to grace the floor at Rust. Reeves has high hopes of the current season. Being a former Bearcat himself, he feels obligated to turn this program around and get the team the respect that it deserves.

Freshman setter, Rose Vasquez, summed up the team's interaction with one word, "fun." It is refreshing to see the girls' aspirations to be just as strong as Reeves'. It makes the whole process easier and also a better experience for everyone involved. "Goofy" is the word freshman Angel Wallace uses to describe her energetic teammates.

The laughing, joking around and playing at practice is what brought her to this conclusion. Baxter believes that they share a "sisterhood-like" bond, which is very good for the team's chemistry. Like many athletes know, it is easier to win and to be a team player when you have chemistry off the court as well as on the court.

This is going to be an exciting year and they already have the fans' encouragement and support. Spikes, blocks and aces are going to be the new way for the Lady Bearcats. In the last game, fan favorite, Wallace, electrified the crowd with a devastating spike on two Oakwood defenders, sending the crowd into an uproar.

The ladies showed courage, talent and most of all, fight as they pulled off the victory. They have an upcoming cluster tournament this weekend and a victory will give them the fuel they need as they enter the tournament.