With a strong emphasis on teamwork, the Firedogs have blazed through the 2009 season, intent on the NESCAC title, which has been just out of reach for two years running. With their record currently at 17-4, (6-2 NESCAC), the fierce Firedogs show every indication of being a top contender for the volleyball conference championship.
The team has ended the past two seasons with losses to archrival Williams College in the NESCAC title match, a fact that looms large in the team’s mind.
“It seemed to me that we were always so close, but we couldn’t carry through to a victory over Williams when it counted,” lamented tri-captain Jaclyn Berkley ’11.
Unfortunately, so far this season the Ephs seem to have the upper hand. The purple cows stole the first, and only non-playoff, match-up already earlier this year with a 3-1 victory. However, the Firedogs are no doubt eager for another shot at Williams come playoff time. This year the team has already proven they are great at comebacks, whether it be taking the more important win from a team that’s beaten them once, or coming from behind to take a match.
Middlebury College can tell you firsthand how it feels to be on the receiving end of an Amherst comeback. The Panthers surprised the Firedogs early in the year with a loss on their home floor at the Amherst Classic. While the match did not count towards NESCAC standings, the loss stung the Firedogs, who quickly got revenge on the Panthers only a week later. Despite suffering the no-doubt demoralizing loss to Williams only the day before, the Firedogs went up against Middlebury again and this time came away with the 3-2 victory, which did count towards NESCAC rankings.
Recently, Amherst has also been showing that they can fight from behind within a single match as well. The Firedogs have battled from 0-2 deficits to win three straight to take the match three times this season, with two recently occurring back to back against both Wesleyan University and Trinity College.
Tri-captain libero Rachel Yorke ’11 is torn between whether to be happy with her team’s fighting spirit or displeased at their play.
“One of our better trends is our ability to win in the fifth game,” said Yorke. “Although we’d like to not be in those situation, we have gotten much better at closing teams out and I am super proud about that.”
Another trend the team has seen this season relates to their teamwork.
“I think our main theme this season is all playing together as a cohesive group and flowing together,” said outside hitter Katherine Kanoff ’12. “When we play with a flow, rather than each person playing by themselves we’re unstoppable. It’s when we go away from this that we get into trouble.”
Junior setter Kate Jordan adds that the team spirit continues even after the game ends.
“I’m most proud of the Firedogs for truly competing against other teams — we’ve had several five set matches where we have had to battle it out,” Jordan said. “Always choosing to fight even when we are down two sets has definitely been one of our strengths. In addition, we love playing together, which makes Firedog volleyball fun. This season in particular, I have felt that we have truly supported each other, both on and off the court.”
Jordan’s attitude exactly matches the hopes Head Coach Sue Everden had for her team at the start of the season.
“I want each player to feel like they are truly in the process of reaching their potential as a student/athlete, meaning that they are challenged and achieving in the classroom, on the court and in their daily lives,” Everden said. “I want each player to feel that they are making a significant contribution to the concept of team in their own special unique way, and I want each player to strive to make themselves better players and better people each and every day. I want the volleyball environment to be the most fun thing they have ever experienced in their sporting life. Believe and achieve. No guts, no glory. Go for the load!”
With Everden’s goals in mind, the Firedogs eagerly look forward to their few remaining NESCAC matches and the rapidly approaching NESCAC playoffs. The NESCAC standings this season is a close-packed scramble, with teams crowded near the top with similar or even identical records. It gets crazier if the standings get broken down further. For example, one has to look no further than at the Firedogs and their standings in the Little Three. Current Little Three standings have all three tied, with Amherst defeating Wesleyan, who defeated Williams, who defeated Amherst. With such an interlocking of standings, it’s no doubt going to be a wild ride to the NESCAC title, but the Firedogs are ready and willing to face the challenge as they take on Bowdoin and the current NESCAC leader Tufts before heading into the playoffs.
“NESCACs is going to be a huge battle,” Yorke said. “Every team is stepping up. But we all truly believe that if we put our hearts into each game and play consistently we can take the title.”