Birch enjoys solid match against Bengals
Utah State outside hitter Tanya McArthur Birch received a lot of playing time Tuesday in the Aggies 30-21, 30-25, 30-17 victory over the Idaho State University Bengals at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho.
Why? Simply because she matched up well against ISU, USU Head Coach Burt Fuller said.
“We wanted to give her some time,” Fuller said. “She did some things that I think were real effective against these guys [Idaho State].”
Birch finished second on the team in kills with 12 behind outside hitter Erin Cartwright, who led the team with 14. She also had three digs, two assists, two service aces and a block.
Tuesday’s match was her most productive since Oct. 27 against the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she posted nine kills and eight blocks.
“It was fun to play, to compete,” Birch said.
Her teammates also appreciated her presence on the floor.
“She did a good job,” middle blocker Michelle Matheson said. “She brought a lot of energy.”
A Salt Lake Community College transfer in 1999, Birch played in 17 matches, finishing with 29 kills, nine block assists and 25 digs.
In the 2000 season, Birch started 13 matches prior to spraining her ankle and missing a month of action. She finished the season seeing limited play time.
Fully recovered from off-season surgery and her ankle injury, Birch remains to see little time on the floor during her senior campaign.
“She’s been effective for us in the smaller times she’s been in,” Fuller said. ” She’s a great player in practice every day and people don’t get the chance to see that.”
Birch said, “Everyone hopes to play. It would be nice to play, but it depends on game situations.”