"Each season is unique and special," said outside hitter Claire Holton-Basaldua '09. "I don't think that this season is better or worse than last season, its just a different mix of players with a different dynamic. This year we have a lot of [first-years] so it's taken more work for the team to adjust to playing with each other. I think we've done a good job of integrating in the [first-years], and they are all doing a great job contributing."
Though the team dynamic this year is different than last year's, the Firedogs are a solid unit, and their team chemistry contributes to their success. When they are able to communicate and connect on the court, they score more points.
"We have an amazing group of girls and the closer we get, the closer we play on the court, and it seems like we keep up the energy so well," said tri-captain Julie Berkley '08. "The season has seriously flown by ,but it is only going to get better because we are working our way to peaking."
In their first tournament, at Roger Williams University, the Firedogs demolished the opposition, winning each of their three matches and losing only one game in the entire tournament. After defeating Keene State University in three games, the Firedogs traveled to Tufts to play their first two conference matches of the season against Middlebury and Hamilton Colleges. Though their NESCAC foes proved to be more worthy opponents than their previous adversaries, the 'Dogs were able to use their consistency and depth to defeat both teams and move to 2-0 in the NESCAC.
"We are a strong team both offensively and defensively," said Basaldua. "I think being able to play both sides of the game equally well is what has made us so successful."
After a season opening 11-game winning streak, Amherst faltered for the first time, losing to NESCAC powerhouse Wesleyan University in a non-conference game. Though Amherst led the match 2-1, the Cardinals bounced back to defeat the Firedogs in five games. Amherst showed heart and looked at the loss as a learning experience.
"I think the one time this season we can all point to being a 'mental breakdown' was maybe Wesleyan, but even then, we bounced back," Berkley said.
The team won its next six matches, including a five-game nail-biter against Bowdoin College, to improve its record to 18-1. The Firedogs then took advantage of an opportunity to seek revenge on Wesleyan in LeFrak Gymnasium last week, blowing the Cardinals away in three games. However, the next day proved to be their second misstep of the season, as the Firedogs dropped their match to Connecticut College in five games. With the loss, the team fell to 5-1 in conference play, relinquishing its first-place spot in the league to Williams College.
On Wednesday, Amherst had a chance to regain the top spot in the conference, hosting the Ephs in the teams' first match-up of the season. The 'Dogs and their supporters entered LeFrak Gymnasium ready for an intense match, which was exactly what they got. Amherst came from behind to beat the Ephs 3-2 and moved back to the top of the NESCAC.
The 'Dogs feel good about their most recent performances, and are confident in their ability to do well in the conference tournament and in the NCAAs. "One of the team goals is to win NESCACs again this year," Basaldua said. Berkley added, "That goal is definitely still achievable, as well as moving forward and taking care of teams in the region with a stronger ending than we did last year."
The Firedogs knew they would have a gap to fill on offense with the loss of All-NESCAC First Team member Kristen Quinn '07, who led the NESCAC and was second in the nation in hitting percentage. Senior tri-captains Jaclyn DeMais and Whitney Kouvaris, along with Hannah Wirth '09 and Basaldua, have succeeded in revamping the Amherst offense.
The Firedogs are currently ranked first in the NESCAC in hitting percentage. DeMais currently is second in the NESCAC in kills per game, averaging 4.87, while Kouvaris has tallied 197 kills and Basaldua 128. Wirth leads the NESCAC in hitting percentage at .345.
The rookies have stepped up to help out on defense after the graduation of Quinn-who finished the 2006 season at the top of the NESCAC and third in the nation in blocks per game-and defensive specialist Laura Golden '07.
Rachel Yorke '11 sits at fifth in the NESCAC in digs per game, averaging 4.99. She recorded a season-high 31 digs against Bowdoin. Jackie Berkley '11 has defended the net for Amherst, chalking up 22 solo and 62 total blocks.
The addition of setter Katherine Jordan '11 to the Firedogs' rotation has allowed junior setter Sara Heller some valuable rest. Jordan averages an impressive 9.17 assists per game, while Heller is up to her old antics, averaging 11.20 assists per game, good for second in the NESCAC.
"Having a young team, but with a strong returning upperclass, it will take more of a group effort to stay focused throughout the games and to put the team away when we have the chance," said Berkley. "No more playing down to other teams' levels, but keeping up our play on our side of the net and taking care of what we know we need to do. We have an all-around great technically sound team, and if we put that all together and make teams try to play at our level we can blow anyone away."
The Firedogs currently sit in first place in the NESCAC with a conference record of 6-1. With only two matches left, if they withstand the competition, they will earn the number one seed for the NESCAC Tournament, putting them in prime position to win another NESCAC title.