Jamestown College's brutal non-conference schedule continued to show its teeth.
The Jimmies went 0-4 in Irvine, Calif., facing the No. 2, 3 and 9 teams in the NAIA on Friday and Saturday.
Coach Jon Hegerle knew the schedule was a beast and their 4-9 record proves it.
"We knew it was going to be very difficult," Hegerle said from Las Vegas Sunday night. "But we always tell the team that growth does not take place unless you leave your own environment.
"Our goal was to play the best and we've certainly done that. We'll only grow from it and become a better team."
ADVERTISEMENT
The Jimmies were swept by No. 3 California Baptist on Friday, and then by No. 9 Azusa Pacific and No. 2 Concordia on Saturday. Concordia is transitioning to Division II. In their second match Friday, they fell in five to Westmont (Calif.), which is getting votes in the NAIA poll.
Of the Jimmies' first 13 opponents, seven are either ranked or getting votes.
"It is hard to maintain perspective when you're not winning, but I think as a team we understand the big picture," Hegerle said.
The Jimmies led Westmont 2-0 in the late match Friday, but the Warriors rallied all the way back, taking the decisive fifth set, 15-9.
"That match could have went either way," Hegerle said. "They seemed to compete a little harder at the end of the match and that was the difference."
He was also pleased with the team's play against Azusa Pacific, a 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 setback.
"We hit well, served well, defended well, they were just a little bit better," Hegerle said.
They weren't totally overwhelmed by either No. 3 Cal Baptist or No. 2 Concordia -- they got to 20 one set and 22 in another -- but the fast-paced play of both teams was too much to overcome.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It's good to see teams like that, and be able to compete with them," Hegerle said. "You're talking about two of the best teams in the NAIA."
Shannon Fee had a typically strong weekend hitting, finishing with 54 kills, including 21 against Westmont.
Jada Meiklejohn's 61 assists were team-leading and Krysten Williams had 56 digs. Sam Revering also played well in the back. Hegerle also singled out Emilee Schutta, who had 26 kills.
The Jimmies have one more non-conference match before DAC play begins Sept. 17. It's another tough one, albeit a lot closer to home, when they head to Moorhead to face Concordia on Thursday.
Friday's games
No. 3 California Baptist 3, Jamestown College 0
Jamestown College 15 15 17
California-Baptist 25 25 25
ADVERTISEMENT
Jamestown College statistics
Katie Zent: 5 kills, 1 assist, 1 dig, 5 blocks.
Krysten Williams: 8 digs.
Emilee Schutta: 5 kills, 2 digs.
Kelsey Deragisch: 12 assists, 2 aces, 4 digs.
Leah Fadness: 7 digs.
Becca Price: 1 ace, 1 dig.
Sarah Becker: 2 digs, 1 dig, 1 block.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shannon Fee: 9 kills, 2 digs, 3 blocks.
Jada Meiklejohn: 7 assists, 8 digs.
Sam Revering: 1 kill, 1 assist, 4 digs, 2 blocks.
Westmont (Calif.) 3, Jamestown College 2
Jamestown College 25 28 23 24 9
Westmont 23 26 25 26 15
Jamestown College statistics
Katie Zent: 8 kills, 1 dig, 3 blocks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Krysten Williams: 1 kill, 1 assist, 20 digs.
Allison Church: 4 kills, 5 digs, 1 block.
Emilee Schutta: 12 kills, 1 ace, 4 digs, 2 blocks.
Kelsey Deragisch: 18 assists, 1 ace, 7 digs.
Leah Fadness: 12 digs.
Becca Price: 1 ace, 2 digs.
Sarah Becker: 3 kills, 2 digs, 9 blocks.
Katie Fediuk: 1 ace, 1 dig.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shannon Fee: 21 kills, 2 assists, 3 digs, 7 blocks.
Jada Meiklejohn: 27 assists, 3 aces, 21 digs.
Samantha Revering: 8 kills, 1 ace, 24 digs.
Saturday's games
No. 9 Azusa-Pacific (Calif.) 3, Jimmies 0
Jamestown College 23 19 18
Azusa-Pacific 25 25 25
Jamestown College statistics
Katie Zent: 5 kills, 1 dig, 1 block.
Krysten Williams: 1 ace, 20 digs.
Emilee Schutta: 6 kills, 2 assists, 1 dig.
Kelsey Deragisch: 17 assists, 4 digs.
Leah Fadness: 5 digs.
Becca Price: 3 digs.
Sarah Becker: 7 kills, 1 dig, 5 blocks.
Katie Fediuk: 3 aces.
Sarah Didychuk: 1 kill, 1 ace, 1 dig.
Shannon Fee: 11 kills, 1 dig, 3 blocks.
Jada Meiklejohn: 13 assists, 5 digs.
Samantha Revering: 8 kills, 4 digs, 3 blocks.
No. 2 Concordia-Irvine 3, Jamestown College 0
Jamestown College 14 20 22
California-Irvine 25 25 25
Jamestown College statistics
Katie Zent: 2 kills, 1 dig, 2 blocks.
Krysten Williams: 1 ace, 8 digs.
Allison Church: 1 kill, 2 digs, 1 block.
Emilee Schutta: 3 kills, 1 assist, 2 digs, 1 block.
Kelsey Deragisch: 1 kill, 6 assists, 4 digs.
Leah Fadness: 6 digs.
Sarah Becker: 2 kills, 5 blocks.
Katie Fediuk: 2 aces, 2 digs.
Sarah Didychuk: 1 kill.
Shannon Fee: 13 kills, 5 blocks.
Jada Meiklejohn: 14 assists, 5 digs.
Sam Revering: 2 kills, 1 assist, 10 digs, 1 block.
