Z{)t (guiltortrian 12 In Action Lady Quakers next best at Gallaudet But there's no place like home for Guilford Butch Maler Staff Writer Lady Quaker opponents usually get smoked. Saturday,it wasclose, but no cigar for Guilford. The Guilford College volleyball team won its 15th consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) match during last weekend'sGallaudetTournament, but fell just short of defending its championship in Washington, D.C., placing second. "Unfortunately, most of our matches were on Saturday," said freshman Alissa Pioli. "But we played well." As the Lady Quakers have for the last .eason-and-a-half, posting an impressive 54-7 record over that span. Needless to say, tourna ment championships have become expected, as Guilford had taken their last five before Saturday. Western Maryland, a team that had defeated associate coach Chuck McCracken's squad 15-6, 10-15, 15-8 earlier in the day, ousted the Lady Quakers 15-10, 15-7 in the final. What did the trick for the Ter rors? "Their shot-making," said Pioli. "They found our holes and used them. Any good team will do that" The holes resulted from Guilford's trek through Virginia LAN EASY GUIDE TO THE MOST COMMON I SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES | and into the nation's capital last weekend. Thursday, the Lady Quakers up ended Randolph-Macon Woman' s College 15-6,15-10,15-2. Friday at Gallaudet, Guilford made no apologies in sweeping Catholic University 15-4,15-9. The Lady Quakers defeated Christopher Newport, (15-3, 15- 9), Eastern Mennonite (15-13,15- 13) and Methodist (15-9,15-6) on Saturday. But the winners were feeling weary and the holes were there as the Quakers lost their two battles with Western Maryland. Guilford stands at 20-3 this sea son, 6-2 in the ODAC. Junior co-captain Brenda Davis continues to lead the team in kills (242), digs (126) and blocks (72). Senior transfer Shannon Virtue is tops with 26 service aces and sophomore Susan Raney dishes out the most assists (292). Wednesday, Guilford was to host Roanoke College, before entertain ing Eastern Mennonite Friday. "We're looking forward to play ing at home because of the fan support we get," said Pioli. Fan-tastic support Upon entering Ragan-Brown for a volleyball match, one can hardly help but notice a motley crew cheer ing on the Lady Quakers. Sports Guilford's spikers have gotten a kick out of their bleacher buddies at matches in Ragan-Brown this season. And after long stretches of road contests during the fall, players are ready to return to Greensboro. They are going to Carolina—and they don't mind. "[They] are great," said Lady Quaker Christine Schroeder, re ferring to the dedicated dozen or so fans who, contrary to the overall crowd norm, whoop it up non-stop during Guilford's home matches— as if celebrating Norm entering the bar on Cheer's. "We want to support the team as much as possible," said one crew member. "I think it helps the team —I hope it helps the team." From chants to cheers, these guys do it all. As the Lady Quakers serve, a loud "boom" accompanies the offering. Numerical ratings of spikes, tomahawk chopping, even cue cards for the singer of the Na tional Anthem are provided. For Wedneday's home match, plans to bring volleyball hats— headpieces shaped from actual vol leyballs—were revealed. The jury is still out on whether some of the troop's tactics are, shall we say, "prudent" Among the borderline judgment calls is taunting the umpire and — -—r° ■ — ----- ——-v~— ' The most obnoxious fans in the ODAC? well, the following... One of the crew members scanned his roster sheet of Lynchburg College and chose a player to talk to on the court This player, let's call her "Beth," went about her duty on the court and occassionally would not play up to the expectations of her team. Then she heard about it. "Aww, Beth," the crew member bellowed. "I still love you, Beth." Oh my. "We are the most obnoxious fans in the ODAC —without a doubt" claimed another rooter. "It's total school spirit." One might won der if it's aided by spir- It's the 200th from The Butcher in the next * ? #wlforitan I,H I MV M *' t •# *• ! >** * • :\i. U ilt'.i *f/4i '" r ' ">• % .• *- t# * Mt- *l% • li' I' 4 •'I V'V ' ' | " Happy'oelatea feirtiav,tfirtc>i. ~ • October 16,1992 its, but this group of guys is so ber—and sobering to the average fan concerning the nature of team sports support. This is the way it should be, the boisterous bunch contends. So if you happen to show up for a Lady Quaker match, peer down to the opposite bleacher section and you can easily spot the motley crew about which I write. And if you are feeling adventur ous, wander on over to the stands and blend in with the guys. They won't mind. Just do your best to pick up on the subtle nuances of their rowdiness and you too can become a part of Guilford volleyball's fan-tastic support No entry fee required.