The women’s volleyball team continued its undefeated streak with a pair of conference wins at home last weekend and first year Christy Jewett gained NESCAC-wide recognition for her outstanding collegiate debut.
The Polar Bears kicked off NESCAC play with a 3-1 win against Amherst last Friday. The team dominated the first two sets with scores of 25-11 and 25-18, before losing some momentum and falling 18-25 in the third. Bowdoin regrouped, clinching the match with a 25-21 victory in the fourth set.
Captain Melissa Haskell ’13 lead the team offensively with 16 kills, while Jewett racked up 14 kills in her first NESCAC game. Setter Sophia Cornew ’14 had 38 assists.
The team went on to defeat the Trinity Bantams 3-1 on Saturday. The pattern of play was reminiscent of the previous night’s, with Bowdoin handily taking the first two sets 25-17 and 25-15 before once again faltering in the third and losing 18-25. The team rallied and took the match in the final set, outscoring the previously undefeated Bantams 25-18.
Jewett was once again a force to be reckoned with, notching 15 kills. Ellie Brennan ’14 also made a significant offensive contribution with 13 kills. Libero Taylor Vail ’14 finished the match with an impressive 25 digs.
In recognition of her outstanding performance, Jewett was named NESCAC Volleyball Player of the Week, a title bestowed on Cornew last week. Jewett is currently fifth in the entire NESCAC in kills and fourth in overall hitting percentage; she is the team’s first rookie player to earn Player of the Week honors.
The first year from Sunnyvale, Calif. credited the team and the supportive environment they created for her as the reasons for her success.
“This is really a team effort. The team’s an awesome group of girls, they’re like a second group of sisters, and they’re always there when you need help, on the court and off,” she said. “Everything I do out there, I represent Bowdoin volleyball as a whole.”
The team goes on the road this weekend with four matches at the M.I.T. Invitational at Endicott. First on their schedule is Springfield College tonight at 5 p.m., followed by Mount Ida College at 7 p.m. On Saturday the Polar Bears will take on Roger Williams at 10 a.m. and Newbury College at 2 p.m.