Due to the NCAA's new rally scoring format, the game scores were 30-20, 25-30, 30-24, 29-31 and 15-10. The sheer number of points ammassed by both teams during the five-game affair was far more than the Firedogs are used to from the old NCAA rule format.
Co-captain Meredith DeMeules '02 said that while overall the team coped with the rally scoring format well, the new scoring system also presented problems. "With rally scoring, you have to play as if every point matters, because it does," said junior hitter Erin Dittus. "I think that emotionally, it's very draining to look at the scoreboard, see that you already have 25 points, but then realize that you haven't won the game yet. But," she continued, "every team is in the same boat right now, and we're all still adjusting to that change."
The addition of the Class of 2005 to the Amherst lineup had an immediate impact on the Firedog style of play. Most notably, the Firedogs introduced Annie Hoeksma '05 into the mix, supplementing an already powerful squad.
Co-captain Erica Hewes '02 began her senior season in style, slamming down 26 kills from the outside hitter position in the match. Supplementing Hewes's power was DeMeules, who set up 24 assists while chipping in with 10 kills of her own on the day. DeMeules and Hewes have dominated the court since their collegiate debut, and Sunday was certainly no exception. Both racked up All-NESCAC honors last season for their efforts during the 2000 Firedog NCAA run.
But change is good, and the addition of a second setter-Hoeksma-to the Amherst rotation has left the 'Dogs with a bevy of offensive options to choose from. "By adding a second setter, we're basically playing with three hitters instead of two, because one can hit while the other sets," said Dittus "This opens up a lot of potential options for us, and that will really help us out in the future."
DeMeules raved about her rookie counterpart. "I love having [Hoeksma] on the team. She's a great asset, and she's caught on really well, and she's easy to play with," she said. Hoeksma returned the compliments. "I'm happy with how the match went," she said. "I was excited to be playing, and I really like the team." The rookie served up six out of the seven Amherst service aces on the match. The 5'10" Firedog also knocked down seven kills to balance out her 23 assists.
The Firedogs are slated to travel to Trinity College tonight. However, this matchup may need to be rescheduled in consideration of yesterday's tragic events.
"Western Connecticut was a competitive team, which was good for us to see going into Trinity," said DeMeules. "Trinity hasn't usually been one of our tougher competitors, but they're in the NESCAC, so it's important for us to play well, and at our level."
Following the Trinity matchup, the Amherst squad will return home to LeFrak Gymnasium to open up its doors to this weekend's NESCAC Quad, on Friday and Saturday. The first of several perhaps postseson-defining NESCAC Quads, Amherst will hold court against conference rivals Tufts University, Hamilton College, Middlebury College and Williams College.
"Tufts is always a battle. They have some good hitters," Dittus said. "We only played Middlebury once last year and we lost, so they'll look to beat us again. And of course, Williams is always an intense game."