A win over a top-20 opponent is one way to end a six-match losing streak. Tonight Saint Mary's (3-13, 1-6 MIAA) hopes to do just that against No. 14 Hope (10-4, 6-1).
"We have played a lot of tough nationally ranked competition this sesason, and we have been successful," Belles coach Toni Kuschel said. "Hope is another great team and we will need to bring our best effort to beat them."
The Flying Dutch enter the matchup on a three-match winning streak, all by a margin of 3-0, compared to the Belles who have lost eight of their last nine.
"[We need] to play aggressive and consistent volleyball," Kuschel said. "We know we have been improving every day in practice. We need to see that improvement during our matches this week."
The Belles will face Hope, and each of the other teams in the MIAA, once more in the second half of the season. A win tonight could jumpstart a change in play for the closing stretch, Kuschel said.
"We need to cut out our unforced errors and be smart with the ball," she said. "We have been preparing for this match the way we have for any other: by focusing on what we need to improve on in practice to bring our game to the next level."
The Belles will host Hope tonight at 7 p.m.
