Up until the volleyball team's away date at nearby Mount Holyoke College on Thursday, the outcome of each Firedog match-save for the 3-2 season opening win against Western Connecticut State University on Sept. 9-had been decided in three games. All that ended against the Lyons, as the Firedogs suddenly found themselves immersed in a marathon two-hour, five game match after demolishing the same opponent in an early-season scrimmage. And to add to the weight on the Jeffs' minds, the Mount Holyoke tussle was just the first in a string of matches awaiting the squad back home in LeFrak Gymnasium over the weekend, care of the Amherst Invitational.

"I think Mount Holyoke was a wake-up call. We could have easily lost that match," said defensive specialist Missy Mordy '03. "Mentally, it was frustrating. But that frustration came out on the court the next day, and we all pushed ourselves a little harder."

One pattern had been broken: The Firedogs found themselves playing through a fourth and fifth game. However, the Jeffs continued their pattern of success, pulling through to beat the Lyons, 3-2. The Amherst offense came largely behind the unparalleled power of Co-captain Erica Hewes '02, who shined with a match-high 20 kills, more than doubling the next highest Amherst kill contributor, Erin Dittus '03, who notched eight kills. Natalie Brooks '04 marked a mediocre four, and Lauren Wong '04 finished with only one.

But, the two sophomores rose above the rest of the Amherst front line in blocking. Combined, the two contributed more than half of the team-total 20 blocks, each one of which translated to a point won on the match. "They've both been consistent all year," said Mordy. "Our blocking is really key for us, and it helps the back row out a lot."

Along with Brooks' and Wong's blocking, the Amherst defense was led by Co-captain Meredith DeMeules '02, who was able to give up her setter's role to Annie Hoeksma '05 and pop up 12 digs. Irene Lee '03 dove for another 11 digs, and Hoeksma returned DeMeules' favor, marking six digs.

The next day, the Firedogs suited up to face down Westfield State College. The first of three competitors in the Amherst Invite, the Owls proved to be a relatively easy and much more routine win, compared to the grueling contest less than 24 hours before.

The Firedogs took the match in three games, 30-20, 30-20, 30-14. Again, Hewes and Dittus led the offense with 16 and eight kills, respectively, and DeMeules and Lee patrolled the backcourt, with 11 digs each. The versatile Jessica Allen '04 contributed eight digs to the team effort, while Brooks and Wong patrolled the net, blocking for more than seven of the team-total 10 blocks.

In the nightcap, DeMeules stepped into the spotlight with her first triple-double of the season. DeMeules' 11 kills, 22 assists and 16 digs were supplemented by Hewes' 16 kills, Hoeksma's 20 assists and Lee's and junior defensive specialist Missy Mordy's nine digs each. All told, the Firedogs took the match in three games, 30-14, 30-11, 30-17.

The next morning, The Coast Guard Academy, having beaten Westfield State the day before, seemed primed for the Amherst upset during warmups. But the Amherst squad ended their trek in style, pulling out another three-game sweep, 30-17, 30-13, 30-18. The Firedogs were paced by Hewes' 13 kills, while DeMeules kept the tempo up with 10 kills and 16 assists of her own. Lee, DeMeules and Hoeksma also each added another seven digs.

Now, with a 12-2 record, the Firedogs will turn their attention back to the NESCAC, with a 7:30 matchup tonight at Trinity College, to be followed by the second of four NESCAC Quads, hosted by Bowdoin College this weekend. "This is a huge week for us," Mordy cautioned. "Trinity's been playing well lately, and it's really important that we play well up at Bowdoin. Hopefully, well just keep building, and peak at the right time."