Spring Break
VOLLEYBALL: Squad finishes in fourth
by Melissa Siegel
Staff writer
Sports | 10/23/07
Posted online at 11:34 PM EST on 10/22/07
/ Last updated at 12:10 PM EST on 10/22/07
It was a weekend of highs and lows for the volleyball team at the Hall of Fame Tournament. The Judges reached the semifinals of the event for the first time in school history, but after two close losses in rematches against Williams College and Tufts University Saturday, they were forced to settle for fourth place.
Brandeis is now 20-8 this season following Friday's victories over Colby College and host Amherst College.
Though the Judges lost their final two matches, it was an otherwise historic weekend for the team. Their fourth-place finish was their highest ever at the tournament, and they also clinched back-to-back 20-win seasons.
In the semifinals, the Judges faced Williams for the second time this season. They defeated the Ephs 3-2 Sept. 15, but nearly blew a 2-0 lead in doing so. Brandeis took a 2-1 lead this time, but couldn't put Williams away, losing the last two games and the match, 26-30, 30-25, 23-30, 30-28, 15-11.
"I think our hitters became a little bit tentative," coach Michelle Kim said. "We had a chance in the fourth game to put [Williams] away, and we weren't able to do that."
Outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach '09 had 31 kills, 16 digs, four blocks and three service aces in the match, and setter Abby Blasco '11 had a career-high 64 assists. Defensively, libero Violette Ruggiero '09 led the Judges with 24 digs.
After losing to Williams, the Judges faced Tufts, another familiar foe, in the third-place game. Tufts snapped the Judges' 17-match home winning streak Oct. 9 and once again defeated Brandeis in four close games, winning 30-20, 28-30, 30-28, 30-28.
Middle blocker Bridget McAllister '11 and outside position player Ashley Powers '08 each had double-doubles, with McAllister recording 13 kills and 11 digs, and Powers notching 11 kills and 12 digs. Ruggiero led the squad again defensively with 20 digs.
Ruggiero said Tufts was able to find the gaps in the Judges' backline on defense.
Brandeis is now 20-8 this season following Friday's victories over Colby College and host Amherst College.
Though the Judges lost their final two matches, it was an otherwise historic weekend for the team. Their fourth-place finish was their highest ever at the tournament, and they also clinched back-to-back 20-win seasons.
In the semifinals, the Judges faced Williams for the second time this season. They defeated the Ephs 3-2 Sept. 15, but nearly blew a 2-0 lead in doing so. Brandeis took a 2-1 lead this time, but couldn't put Williams away, losing the last two games and the match, 26-30, 30-25, 23-30, 30-28, 15-11.
"I think our hitters became a little bit tentative," coach Michelle Kim said. "We had a chance in the fourth game to put [Williams] away, and we weren't able to do that."
Outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach '09 had 31 kills, 16 digs, four blocks and three service aces in the match, and setter Abby Blasco '11 had a career-high 64 assists. Defensively, libero Violette Ruggiero '09 led the Judges with 24 digs.
After losing to Williams, the Judges faced Tufts, another familiar foe, in the third-place game. Tufts snapped the Judges' 17-match home winning streak Oct. 9 and once again defeated Brandeis in four close games, winning 30-20, 28-30, 30-28, 30-28.
Middle blocker Bridget McAllister '11 and outside position player Ashley Powers '08 each had double-doubles, with McAllister recording 13 kills and 11 digs, and Powers notching 11 kills and 12 digs. Ruggiero led the squad again defensively with 20 digs.
Ruggiero said Tufts was able to find the gaps in the Judges' backline on defense.
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