The women's volleyball team is off to a strong start this season after a tight win against Colby on Wednesday, and an undefeated run at last weekend's Endicott Invitational Tournament. The players' incorporation of a solid offense, stamina and teamwork has helped them to establish an impressive record of 4-0 so far this season.
Although the match against rival Colby got off to a shaky start, with Colby winning the first two sets by a score of 25-23 each, the Polar Bears came back with a vengeance in the third to take the set 25-18. The fourth and fifth sets of the match saw even more decisive victories for Bowdoin, as Bowdoin closed out Colby with scores of 25-12 and 15-9. Aces from Victoria Edelman '13, Anna Noucas '11, Melissa Haskell '13, and Skye Lawrence '10 solidified the Bears' dominance in the fourth, while Captain Gillian Page '10 posted five kills during the fifth set to assure Bowdoin's victory.
Page had a total of 20 kills for the game, a team record. Page also collected 15 digs, while rookie setter Stephanie Bond '13 contributed 30 assists. Noucas added a total of six aces for the match.
Head Coach Karen Corey identified intensity at the service line and Page's efforts as key components of the win. She also highlighted Bond's input, especially as a first year setter, saying "Bond made good setting choices, and when she and Kristin Hanczor connect[ed], the whole gym cheer[ed]!" Corey said. Gina Lonati '12 emphasized the importance of this inter-team connection in looking forward to the coming season.
"We have some big goals this season for our squad, especially since we didn't lose any seniors and have the addition of some great first years," said Lonati.
The first years on the team have already left their mark. In three definitive triumphs over Salve Regina, Eastern Connecticut, and Endicott at last weekend's Endicott Invitational, many of the Bears' statistics came from their youngest players. Against Salve Regina, Haskell posted seven kills and four aces, along with 13 assists from Bond. Haskell also contributed 13 kills and 10 digs in the match against Eastern Connecticut, while Edelman earned nine kills in the final game against Endicott. Hanczor was similarly key in these final two face-offs; after posting kills in the double digits in both, she was named to the All-Tournament Team.
The upperclassmen also performed well, particularly in the Endicott Invitational. Page left her mark against Endicott with 10 kills, three aces and 15 digs, while Lawrence posted a team-high 23 digs. Captain Jenna Diggs '10 added eight serves in a row to kick off the fifth set against Endicott.
"I think we look strong in every position, and we've got a fighting attitude that will hopefully make us tough competition for the teams we lost to last year," Lonati said.