Volleyball captures title

Joe Ciolli
Bernell Dorrough

Going into Saturday’s national championship match against conference foe New York University, the Washington University volleyball team found itself in a familiar position.

Ranked highly in the National Volleyball Coaches Association (NVCA) poll and riding a lengthy winning streak, the Bears looked primed to take home their NCAA Division III-record eighth title. The team’s championship game loss, however, from the previous season undoubtedly lingered in the back of the players’ minds.

If the Bears had any reservations going into the match-up with NYU, they were erased as Coach Rich Luenemann’s squad fought back from a 4-0 deficit to win the first game 30-26. Riding this momentum the rest of the way, the Bears never looked back en route to a resounding 3-0 (30-26, 32-30, 30-22) victory, taking home their first championship trophy since 1996.

“It was heartbreaking to lose in the finals last year,” said senior captain Cindy McPeak. “But we weren’t going to lose this time. It was almost a flawless weekend. We peaked at the right time, and that’s what we wanted to do.”

Appropriately, senior All-American middle blocker Amy Brand ended the match with a solo block, sending the Bears back home as champions. Turning in a classic performance, Brand tallied 11 kills and led the team with six blocks and a 0.409 hitting percentage.

Also helping the Bears’ winning cause were seniors Katie Quinn and McPeak, who combined for 17 kills. Junior first-team All-American outside hitter Colleen Winter added six kills and 13 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Heidi Pfeiffer led her team with 12 kills.

The Bears also rolled past their semi-final opponent, the third-ranked University of La Verne, on Friday night. Boasting the NCVA National Player of the Year, La Verne looked to be prepared to give the Bears a good run. But Quinn had different ideas, notching a team-high 14 kills as the Bears won by a score of 3-0 (30-27, 30-27, 30-25).

While there is an undeniable amount of talented on Luenemann’s championship-winning squad, what sets the Bears apart from most other top teams is the way their players operate as a solidified unit. Anchored by their three senior captains (Quinn, McPeak, and Brand), the Bears hold a mental edge over most opponents.

“”I’m elated,” said Luenemann. “This team had the most incredible chemistry I’ve ever seen, and it was complemented by our three seniors. What a fitting end for the best team in the country.”

“Team chemistry is what helped us the most,” added sophomore All-American setter Kara Liefer, who accounted for 39 assists and nine digs against NYU. “We played like a family and pulled through when we needed to.”

The bulk of the credit for the Bears’ championship season should certainly go to the players, but the contribution of their coaches shouldn’t go unnoticed. Their countless hours of extra work outside of practice helped propel the team’s 28-game winning streak after the Bears started out 10-3.

“Our coaching staff did a great job,” said Brand. “They scouted both teams this weekend so well, and we just adjusted to what they told us to, and it worked. They did so much for us.”

With the loss of their three starting captains, the Bears would appear to be on their way into a rebuilding year. However, while the seniors will be sorely missed, Luenemann has been very successful in stockpiling young talent. Look for the Bears to be just as dangerous next year with the return of Winter, Pfeiffer, Liefer, and defensive specialist Nicole Hodgman.

Could it be the start of another Bears volleyball dynasty? Only time will tell.

Women’s NCAA Championships

Friday, Dec 5 at UC-La Verne
GAME SCORES 1 2 3
UC-La Verne 27 27 25
Washington Univ. 30 30 30

Saturday, Dec 6 at UC-La Verne
GAME SCORES 1 2 3
NYU 26 30 22
Washington Univ. 30 32 30

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