Anthony Jacuzzi
There was, in fact, a time when the women’s volleyball team did not make the NCAA Division III tournament. But most of us were just beginning elementary school. Now, for the 15th straight season, the women have made postseason play.
The Washington University spikers opened up their tourney run with a convincing 30-17, 30-25, 30-19 victory over cross-Wydown rival Fontbonne College. Katie Quinn led the way for the Bears with 16 kills and seven blocks, while Rebecca Rotello dished out 40 assists.
In other Thursday action, fourth-seeded Bethel dispatched fifth-seeded Hunter College, also in three straight games.
The six teams that came together in the region are first-ranked Central, second-ranked Wartburg, WU, Bethel, Hunter and Fontbonne. What makes this region so exciting to watch is the caliber of the opposition within the region.
“The Central region has a lot more concentrated talent compared to other regions,” said senior outside hitter Mia Viola. “Whereas other regions have one or two top-ranked teams, the central region is loaded with excellent teams.”
To win the Central, the Bears will now have to beat Wartburg on Friday, and then would most likely have to play three-time defending NCAA champion Central on Saturday.
The road to the championship will be tough for the Bears, but it seems to be tougher because of the way WU was ranked. If they had been ranked second, they would have placed out of the quarterfinals of the tournament. However, because of the third ranking, they have to play in the quarterfinals. So that makes three matches to play instead of two for the Bears.
Even though the Bears finished with a regular season record of 29-5, the best winning percentages of all the teams in the region, Central and Wartburg recieved higher seedings in the bracket. Central goes without saying, as they are the three-time defending NCAA champions. But although Wartburg is a very good team, not only did they have a worse record than Washington University, 28-7, but they finished as the only team in the region not to win any tournament titles.
According to head coach Rich Luenemann, Wartburg deserves its ranking on strength of schedule.
“Wartburg’s success in the central region against teams we didn’t play because we did not go up to Minnesota has been important to them. Certainly, Wartburg’s win over Central was a big plus for them,” said Luenemann. “Sometimes what happens is in the Regional rankings you have to do something phenomenal to jump up in the rankings. So with Wartburg, Central, and Washington University being pretty consistent during the year we were not able to inch up in the rankings enough. Initially we were ranked sixth in the region and we had an 18-0 record in the rankings and now we are ranked fourth in the region.”
Nevertheless, the extra game does not seem to have an effect on the team’s outlook. Luenemann does not see that as a disadvantage.
“We’re not going to sulk or question the regional rankings,” he said. “What we feel is simply this: if the rankings are incorrect we are going to have to beat everyone anyway so it does not matter how we are ranked .besides, in actuality I do prefer to play that extra game. I like getting that game under our belts with that additional experience factor.”
So with a head of steam after winning five games in a row to capture the University Athletic Association championship and last night’s victory, WU sets its sights on the Knights of Wartburg College for a 7:30 showdown tonight with the winner advancing to the Regional championship game.
Perhaps the biggest X-factor for the Bears is fan support. Their play is always elevated when there is a rowdy home advantage. In last night’s match the vocal Fontbonne contingent rendered the game site meaningless. But as the tournament continues do not be surprised to find the bleachers rocking.
With seniors Julie Suellentrop and Viola leading a deep, balanced attack WU hopes to keep their winning ways alive.
-Dan Boyd contributed to this article
Contact Nick at nick.bhatnagar@studlife.com