The second-ranked Bears volleyball squad traveled to Pennsylvania this past weekend to face top competition in the Guisler Invitational tournament. The first true test of the season for the University ended with the Bears on the losing end, but two wins pulled the Bears to a second place finish in the tournament and moved them to 10-1 on the season.
The prominent match of the weekend came on Friday against top-ranked Juniata College. Taking the lead early in every game, the Bears fell 30-19 and 30-28 in the first two frames. However, the play of all-tournament team members Nikki Morrison and Haleigh Spencer led the Bears to a game three 30-27 win, with Morrison tallying 9 of her career-high 22 kills in the game. Taking another early lead in the fourth game, the Eagles rallied behind a 10-4 run and defeated the Bears 30-28 to take the match.
“Juniata played incredibly well,” commented head coach Rich Luenemann. “They’re a very talented team and have a number of scorers. We were waxed the first game but showed great resolve in the next three games. We were ahead in the fourth game, but couldn’t finish.”
Spencer collected 12 kills and three service aces against the Eagles. It was a career night for junior Emilie Walk and Senior Amy Bommarito as they both moved up in the school record books. Walk collected five blocks to become only the 10th player with at least 300 blocks at Wash. U. Bommarito tallied 21 digs to move into eighth on the WU all-time list with 1,304.
“Amy and Emilie are two of our steadiest players,” said Luenemann. “We rely on their consistency. Amy is one of the best ball control players I’ve ever coached. Her passing and digging are essential for our success. Emilie is one of the great middles in Division III. She has the ability to take a game over with her blocking and attacking.”
After the tough loss, the Bears went on to face Seton Hill University. In a 3-0 sweep, senior Whitney Smith, Walk, and Spencer led the way for the Bears. Taking command early, the Bears defeated the Griffins 30-11, 30-20 and 30-18. Smith notched 14 kills and five blocks. Walk added four more blocks to her total along with seven kills, and Spencer added seven kills and four blocks of her own.
Next up for the Bears was 20th-ranked Trinity University from Texas. In the first game, Spencer and junior Ellen Bruegge collected six and three kills respectively to take a 30-22 win. Taking the early lead in the second game, Trinity rallied to take a 31-30 lead before the Bears finally took a 34-32 win. Another Trinity rally was eventually thwarted and the Bears escaped with a 31-29 win and match victory. Bommarito had six aces in the match, and Morrison finished with 15 kills and four blocks.
The Bears return to the Fieldhouse this Thursday to face Fontbonne University before traveling to the first UAA round robin tournament in Atlanta. “Fontbonne will be a formidable foe. We know they’ll enter the Fieldhouse pumped up and will play at a very high level. We’ve come to expect that from our opponents and need to match their energy,” said Luenemann.