The Firedogs started off their three-win campaign with a repeat win over Westfield State College on Thursday night. "We had a good week, which all started when we played Westfield State," said Head Coach Sue Everden. "We played very crisply, and our defense has started to gel. I'm very happy with our blocking and our passing right now."
Riding an 18-3 record into the Hall of Fame Tournament, the Firedogs faced down Bridgewater State College in a Friday night match in LeFrak. The Firedogs dominated the Bears, in a 15-4, 15-1, 15-1 lopsided victory. Sophomores Erin Dittus, Missy Mordy and Emily Ratcliff controlled the match for the Firedogs, with six service aces, eight digs and eight kills, respectively. Setter Meredith DeMeules '02 helped out with 10 assists.
In the nightcap, the volleyball team found itself across the net from Brandeis University, ranked seventh in the region. The Firedogs had won the first two games, and were en route to their third game-and the match-victory. But, in a wrinkle, the Firedogs had run out of substitutions, and had to adapt.
"It wasn't the most optimal situation," said Everden. "But, everyone is well-rounded, and since everyone practices every skill each day in practice, I have confidence in them."
Despite the break from their routine, the Firedogs pulled through to beat the Judges, 15-9, 15-7, 17-15, after fighting off a 10-14 deficit in the third game. Erica Hewes '02, Dittus and Ratcliff combined for 35 kills off of a match total 41 DeMeules assists.
"When we run out of subs, we end up playing people in different positions since we have to try and balance the front and back row," said Hewes. "It adds some pressure to the whole team to really dig in for points and finish the game."
"It might be a little awkward since it's not our usual routine, but it usually works out well in the end," added DeMeules.
The next day, the Firedogs traveled to Smith College to face Wellesley. Despite a hard-fought match, the Amherst squad fell in four games, 14-16, 14-16, 15-9, 10-15. However, the squad seemed optimistic about the hard-fought defeat.
"Wellesley was a fabulous match. We showed a good effort against a good team," said Everden. "I'd love to [play] them again."
In the finale of the week, the Firedogs battled NESCAC rival Bates College. The squad repeated its Sept. 16 victory over the Bobcats, beating them 16-14, 15-5, 15-12.
"I think the peak of our weekend was the Bates match," said DeMeules. "We were playing good volleyball and we had a good time."
The Firedogs will host Smith for tomorrow's Senior Day at 7:00. Everden stressed that the Smith match will be an important one.
"[Smith Coach Bonnie May's] teams are always well-prepared," she said. "I don't want to overlook them, and I don't want them to come up and bite us in the rear end." This weekend, the Firedogs will travel to Wesleyan University to battle for the Little Three Championship.