My sisters played volleyball in high school.

I remember being dragged to their matches at 9 a.m. on the Saturday mornings that I didn’t have basketball games.

When I understood the rules, I started to enjoy the games. I began to be one who dragged my parents to the games.

I knew from looking at my sisters’ faces whether they had won or lost. The frustration, the excitement, the anger, and the joy: it seemed as if sometimes they had no idea that at the end of the day, it was still just a sport.

The Panthers are on a losing streak, losing the last five match-ups.

I was there for the last two home games against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. I could see the frustration setting in.

I have seen those looks since the age of 13. I have seen those looks at the dinner table, in the car ride home and anywhere else you looked in a gym after a tough loss.

I saw that look of disappointment in my sister’s face when I didn’t know what to say to make her feel better.

I remember that look every time I write about another Panthers’ loss. I know what it is like.

The Panthers are 4-15 overall and 2-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

It seems that the opponents change, but the results do not.

I have been to their practices and to their games so I know there is a team dynamic and there are bonds between players, but when the teams take the court, it seems that just disappears.

When I played grade school basketball, we won one game over six seasons. One game.

I know what it is like to turn on your teammates, turn on your coach and turn on yourself.

I am not saying this is what is happening with the volleyball team, I am simply stating that not only have I suffered a losing streak, but I know what it feels like when nothing seems to go right.

To me, it is just a problem that needs to end.

Sophomore Reynae Hutchinson has not skipped a beat. She still stays consistent whether the team wins or loses.

Head Coach Kate Price still has confidence in her team. The team just needs confidence in themselves.

If I was able to walk out on that basketball court with a record of 1-and-who-knows, then the women’s volleyball team putting a five-match skid behind them should be nothing at all.

Lenny Arquilla can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected]