We lost again in 5 sets to Illinois State . We are now 0-3. With 2, 5 set losses and a defeat against a highly ranked opponent. In both 5 set losses we were not competitive in the fifth set. I wonder if it is a fitness issue?

Two chances to get a win today, against 4-0, Marquette, coached by our former coach Ryan Theis. We also play against University of Illinois- Chicago.

"Heading into the 2021 campaign, Theis (pronounced TICE) is the top 15 among active NCAA Division I head coaches with a .731 winning percentage (301-111 career record) and a 157-57 record at Marquette. In his 13 years as a head coach he has never had fewer than 21 wins in a full season with a career-best 28 victories with the Golden Eagles in both 2018 and 2019."

Didn't know Geoff very well when he was here before but I did get to know Ryan quite well. He's a reall solid guy. About six weeks ago I sent him a video of my granddaughter serving. She was getting ready to try out for the 7th grade team in Athens and just wasn't generating much power. If you can serve and pass, you can make the 7th grade team. I just couldn't figure out what the problem was becase her form is very good. He looked at the video and wrote me back with a couple suggestions. Bingo - problem solved and she made the team. Good guy.

Nice guy, winner, great coach!

Thanks for sharing this story, Alan. Glad to hear your granddaughter is playing for dear old AMS.

gonna be a season for learning, but that may not be the worst of it.

Webb did his team no favors by leaving when he did. It meant that we had no head coach for the summer recruiting/observation period. I know Carlston has decades of experience and contacts, but he was put behind the 8-ball for '22 recruiting class and to some extent the next one as well.

I was able the watch the team for the first time last night against against Kansas State.

They are not as bad as their record indicates. However, I saw inconsistant play, timely missess with kills and serves, and lots of room to step it up.

I recently was watching a video from a high school football coach in Western North Carolina after his team won. He told his team, "each one of you should go home and think about how you can make this team better." Truer words were never spoken.