bearsports.wustl.eduThe Washington University’s third-ranked volleyball had their run to the NCAA title stopped short by sixth-ranked University of La Verne in the NCAA quarterfinals. Nevertheless, the Bears ended their season with a 35-2 overall record and a tremendous showing the in postseason.
“We enjoyed a great season, one of the best won-loss records in the history of Washington University volleyball,” said head coach Rich Luenemann.
While La Verne had never beaten the Bears in the NCAA tournament, they clawed their way to a 3-0 victory (18-30, 25-30, 27-30). Winning the first two sets, the Bears kept in mind that they had come back from a two game deficit to defeat the Leopards earlier this season.
“As we entered the playoffs, we knew there were five or six teams capable of winning the championship. We’d established ourselves as one of those teams with impressive wins over several nationally-ranked teams during the season,” said Luenemann.
Even in the loss, several players contributed and made it that much harder for the Leopards to pull out the upset. Junior Whitney Smith led the team in kills with 13, while senior Kara Liefer contributed another 23 assists to her career totals. And with four players in double digit digs, the Bears defense continued to be solid. Senior Nicole Hodgman and junior Amy Bommarito each collected 15 digs, while sophomore Amy Baum added 11 and Liefer added 10.
With injuries to standouts senior Megan Houck and sophomore Haleigh Spencer, the Bears were short stacked for much of the match, not having its normal starting lineup playing at 100 percent.
However, the Bears are not making excuses for the loss, which ended their three-year run of playing in the national title game.
“The loss to La Verne in the quarterfinals was disheartening, as we didn’t do a good job of ‘staying in system’ during that match,” said Luenemann.
Ranked No. 1 for most of the season, the Bears were used to being the team to beat. With the loss, the Red and Green dropped in the national rankings to No. 6, the lowest ranking for the squad all season.
“The season was filled with pluses. Our team chemistry was one of our strengths. The team was also very balanced, and opponents couldn’t key on just one or two of our attackers. The energy the team displayed was exemplary,” said Luenemann.
With the close of the season, the Bears will be losing AVCA first-team All-Americans seniors Megan Houck and Kara Liefer, along with a solid defender and leader in Nicole Hodgman.
“Kara, Megan, and Hodge will be sorely missed,” said Luenemann. “They’re very talented players, great leaders, and wonderful people. They established themselves as one of the premier classes in WU volleyball.”
However, the Bears have a bright future with All-Americans Smith, Spencer, and sophomore Emilie Walk returning next year.
“It will be a challenge for our returning players to step up and fill their shoes, but we’re confident we’ll be back in the hunt for the title in 2006. The most important factor will be that new leaders emerge, players who set the tone and focus for the future,” said Luenemann.
While the accolades and accomplishments of the seniors are impossible to replace, new stars will now shine for the Bears, as the future is still very bright. A season deserving of a title was stopped short, but the tradition carries on.