Winning The Right WayOctober 25, 2004
Saturday, Oct. 23, the Women's Volleyball team faced #10 ranked Southern Oregon University. The following is from an e-mail about the victory, written by Dan Hickman, Director of Community Life: Saturday night in the Pavilion was one of those times when you just feel so proud to be a part of things here at Northwest. Fresh off a pressure-packed win over highly regarded Oregon Tech on Friday, our Eagle volleyball team hosted nationally-ranked and perennial NAIA power Southern Oregon on Saturday. The Raiders boast one of the most dominant programs on the west coast and lose about as often as we hold presidential elections. But Saturday was amazing. After capturing the opener (a stunning feat itself), the Eagles dropped the next two games, including a 30-10 blow-out in the third game that had most people thinking the match was basically over. That's when head coach Shaun Kupferberg showed why we are so fortunate to have him leading our program, and why our Eagles are currently rated up along side the best volleyball programs in the nation. Instead of letting his team lose focus, or fall into the trap of anger or shell-shocked confusion, Shaun calmly reminded his team that the match score was simply 2-1, and that they were still in it. All they had to do was win the next game, and then - like the Red Sox had against the Yankees - take their chances in that final game. After winning a thrilling fourth game, Northwest battled Southern toe-to-toe in one of the most intense fifth-game shoot-outs I've ever seen. Both teams had two chances at match-point, and it was on one of the match-points that Shaun and the Eagles showed that they were not only an amazing team, but tremendous examples of Christ as well. When what would have been the match-winning shot landed clearly on the line, and yet was called out by the linesman, Shaun showed so much self-control and sportsmanship that I just had to shake my head and whisper a thanks to God that He has brought someone with so much class and character to Northwest. Instead of screaming, or saying anything even remotely challenging, Shaun simply smiled. Then I watched the linesman smile back - and then tap himself, acknowledging that maybe he had made a mistake. But by then it was too late to change the call. That's when Shaun's team showed the same character as their coach. And a couple of pressure packed points later, we had the unbelievable win! It was so loud in the Pavilion you couldn't hear anything above the noise of the crowd. Later, I met with several of the Southern Oregon players, and their respect and admiration for our team and our school said volumes about the Christ-like testimony they see when our teams meet. I could not be prouder. So, all this was just to say thanks - to Shaun, Kevin Leach, Kelly Hopkins, and the coolest volleyball team I've ever seen. You make me proud to be an Eagle! Our team is back at it again this weekend. We host Warner Pacific on Friday and Cascade on Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m. and let me warn you in advance. It will be loud in the Pavilion... and it will be fun!!! - Dan Hickman, Director of Community Life |
