Any season in which the Firedogs defeat the Williams College Ephs can certainly be called spectacular. Amherst did exactly that on Tuesday evening, handing the Ephs a 3-2 loss in a LeFrak Gymnasium packed with cheering and jeering fans. The win was the first time the 'Dogs had defeated the Ephs since 2001, before any members of the team were even at Amherst. The come-from-behind win is just what the 'Dogs needed heading into the final two weeks of their season.

In many ways, the Williams match exemplifies the attitude of the Firedogs during most of the season. As a young team, the 'Dogs have had their share of disappointments, but they have refused to lose focus on their goals. It is this spirited determination that is has the potential to carry Amherst to even greater heights by the time the season ends.

The first disappointment of the season came with Amherst's second-place finish in the WNEC Invitational. The 'Dogs handled the first three rounds of the tournament with relative ease as they swiftly delivered 3-0 defeats to all three of their competitors. They choked, however, in the championship game against Plymouth State University, losing 3-1.

The Firedogs also suffered two narrow 3-2 losses to NESCAC foes Colby and Middlebury Colleges in September. However, these losses have been followed with sweeping wins over Trinity College and Brandeis University. During the Wesleyan Invitational, the 'Dogs dropped the opening match to the host Cardinals, 3-0, but came back the next morning to defeat Wheaton College and Trinity, both with scores of 3-1.

The young Firedogs have shown vast improvement with almost every match. "We had some problems, but we're a young team and with each game we get better," said tri-captain Sara Bruggeman '06. It seems that the young squad has finally hit its stride just in time to contend for a NES-

CAC Championship, and the Williams victory was a well-deserved and well-timed boost of confidence for the team.

At the onset of the season, rookie Sara Heller was faced with the harrowing task of replacing Annie Hoeksma '05 as the team's setter, and has thus far impressed teammates and fans alike with her talent, averaging 10 assists per game.

Also making crucial contributions to the offense are middle/outside hitter Kristin Quinn '07 and outside hitters Jaclyn DeMais '08 and Whitney Kouvaris '08­-the trio has already racked up 228, 234 and 210 kills, respectively, on the season. Rookie outside hitter Alison Munzer has also tallied an impressive 141 kills.

In the back row, defensive specialists Julie Berkley '08, Laura Golden '07 and tri-captain Kate Raddock '06 have provided rock-solid defense throughout the season. The three combined for 42 digs against Williams.

The 'Dogs still have a few more matches before the NESCAC Tournament begins on Nov. 4. They are competing in the Hall of Fame Invitational this weekend, and next week they will play in individual matches against Trinity and Connecticut Colleges and Wesleyan University.

With the conference tournament looming in the near future and after having watched her young squad mature this season, Head Coach Sue Everden is optimistic about Amherst's chances. "I think we'll be like we have been for the past 12 years," she said. "I think we'll be in serious contention for the NESCAC Championship title."