“It was very tough to lose against Tufts twice last season, but this year we are more ready than ever,” said captain Rachel Yorke ’11. “It is hard to say what exactly went wrong in the Tufts match because we put up a good fight, but the Firedogs are physically and mentally ready to take on the challenges that we will face this season.”
Last season held many milestones for the Firedogs as they entered the NESCAC’s slotted in the number five seed. Individual merits also shone as Yorke finished second in the conference in digs per set, senior setter Katherine Jordan claimed seventh in assists per game and junior outside-hitter Cristy Meier was sixth in both hitting percentage and kills.
The team will be looking for a good start to the season in its match at Wellesley College next Friday. They will have plenty of practice before taking on the Jumbos on Oct. 8, before a match against the Ephs at the end of the month.
With three first-years and a solid core of returning players, the Firedogs have an advantage over their opponents as their experienced team should face a smooth learning curve, a quality Yorke hopes to exploit.
“With so many returning players we have not only had a lot of experience playing as a team, but we have also had the opportunity to build a team mentality, and that bond definitely works in our favor,” said Yorke. “We are like a family — we know how great a victory can feel, but we also know what defeat feels like. As a senior captain my goal is to constantly motivate my teammates to play for each other and trust one another. If we are able to that, we will go far.”