Another undefeated weekend put the Bears volleyball team at a perfect 7-0 in the UAA conference and gave the squad the ever-important top seed in next month’s UAA tournament.
The team’s current 15-game win streak puts its overall record at 23-1, as the Bears remained in the second spot in last week’s national poll. In a strong offensive output, the Bears defeated No. 17 Emory University, Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Rochester.
“Winning the round robin establishes the Bears as the team to beat in the
UAA Championships,” said head coach Rich Luenemann. “We hope it gives us a psychological edge and the confidence we need to win the championship [and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament]. The UAA is as strong as it’s ever been.”
After a loss last season to the Eagles of Emory, the Bears came out strong, taking the first game in a nail-biter, 30-28.
“The team was motivated to face Emory. The sting of last year’s loss to them remains and the Bears wanted to play well,” said Luenemann.
In the second game, an easy 30-18 win, the Red and Green were led by junior Kathy Leeper’s four kills in the frame. After taking the lead in the third game, Emory’s 6-2 rally ended the game, 30-28. Building on their momentum, Emory took game four 30-26. In a back-and-forth fifth and deciding game (in which the score was tied three times), the Bears prevailed 15-13.
“Emory is a talented team,” commented Luenemann. “Their middles are tough and their ball control allows them to run their quick options. We enjoyed a balanced attack, scoring all along the net.”
Four Wash. U. players finished with double-digit kills and a career game by junior Haleigh Spencer especially stood out in the team’s balanced attack. Spencer led the Bears with 14 kills and a career-high 27 digs. Senior Whitney Smith matched Spencer’s offensive output while junior Emilie Walk added 13 kills and Leeper finished with 11. Sophomore setter Audra Janak was able to collect 37 assists and her freshman counterpart, Vicki Blood, added 22 assists in the strong offensive output.
Coming off the win, the Bears quickly toppled the Judges of Brandeis in three games (30-25, 30-16, 30-14). The offense was led by junior Ellen Bruegge’s six kills and .667 hitting percentage while Smith and sophomore Nikki Morrison each added five kills.
The second day of play saw equal domination for the Bears, as they had little trouble in defeating the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon (30-24, 30-15, 30-26). Spencer again led the effort with 13 kills and 9 digs.
“Haleigh continues to excel in all phases of the game,” commented Luenemann. “She’s a complete player: a strong attacker, a steady back row player, and a tough server. She embodies a Spartan work ethic and is evidence that hard work pays off.”
Walk and Smith each added nine kills and four blocks apiece as the Bears hit .330 for the match including a .655 clip in the second game. Senior Amy Bommarito also added nine digs to the victory.
The Bears capped the weekend with a 30-14, 30-18, 30-23 win over the University of Rochester. Walk and Smith mirrored their previous performances with nine kills and four blocks each. Janak collected 18 assists and four service aces in the win. Spencer added eight kills and 12 digs to top off her successful weekend.
The Bears will host the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Fieldhouse in what might be their final home game if they do not host the first round of NCAA play. The upcoming off-weekend is a welcome thought for the Bears as it allows them to rest before traveling to Illinois Wesleyan for the Titan Invitational the following weekend.
“We’re encountering the nagging injuries every team does at this juncture of the season. It’s something you just can’t avoid,” said Luenemann. “Hopefully the time off will give us an opportunity to reinvigorate ourselves, both physically and mentally.”