Scott BresslerWashington University’s volleyball team travels to Wisconsin on Thursday to vie for the national title in a winner-takes-all battle against Hanover College in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Teams face single elimination, so players will be playing as if there is nothing to lose. The winner of each game continues on the path toward the national championship, crushing the chances of the losing team for the year.
“I hope that our team enjoys that [postseason] excitement and doesn’t let it create anxiety and tension, but rather uses it as fuel to play at peak performance, better than we’ve ever played together,” said senior middle hitter Ellen Bruegge.
The Bears, who are currently number seven in the nation, will be in tough company as sixth ranked Carthage, 14th ranked Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 15th ranked Calvin and 18th ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse all compete in the same regional group.
VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GAME 1 VS. HANNOVER
THURSDAY NOV. 8th @ 1:00
Many of the Midwest Regional teams are known for their high kills per games. Calvin, for games up to October 21, has the fourth highest amount of kills in the nation, while the Bears are currently number 13. The other ranked teams are all in the top 40 for kills per game.
“We will respect each team as talented, accomplished teams, but we will also not let their talent, accomplishments or their rankings intimidate us,” said senior defensive specialist Lindsay Schuessler. “What matters is who shows up and plays the best the day of the competition.”
One of the challenges that has continually faced the Red and Green this season has been maintaining a high level of play.
“Unfortunately, it’s natural to let down when an opponent runs a few points off,” said Coach Rich Luenemann. “If we maintain our composure and elevate our energy levels, we’ll weather those storms and intensify the quality of our play.”
The key to success for the Bears is something that many teammates acknowledge. “It’s stamina, an extreme focus on the ultimate goal and determination that will define the champion…not the statistics,” said Bruegge.
“No matter the outcome, we hope to walk away from the weekend knowing that we brought everything we had to the court and done our best,” said freshman Nicole Penwill.
This season marks the 21st consecutive appearance by Washington University in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears have been to the national title match four times in the past five years and won their eighth national title in 2003.
The Bears lost a tight, tooth-and-claw five-game UAA championship match last weekend to the Emory Eagles. If the Bears escape the tough Midwest Regional, a rematch with the Eagles will be possible in the quarterfinals.
The match against Hanover is set to begin at 1 p.m.
“The teams we see are some of the best, and they will be ready to play,” said sophomore defensive specialist Jennee Montijo. “But so will we.”