As their season draws to a close the women’s volleyball team looked to close it out strong and continue their win streak.
They faced off against UMBC on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 and against Stony Brook on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. Unfortunately the Hawks were not able to win either match as they were bested in straight sets 3-0 versus UMBC and 3-1 versus Stony Brook.
During the first set against UMBC, the retrievers jumped out to a 6-2 lead. The teams then traded points until the score was 9-4.Then the Hawks were able to take six of the next seven points to tie the score at 10 all.
However, UMBC was able to rally to break open a 17-11 lead. The Hawks were not able to close the lead to any more than 4 at a time as the set closed out at 25-18.In the second set the Hawks were able to jump out to a 7-2, which forced a UMBC timeout.
The timeout proved to help, as the retrievers were able to chip away at the lead until they secured a 13-12 lead themselves. They then were able to take eight of the set’s last 10 points ending it at 25-20.
UMBC got out to a 6-2 lead early in the third set. The teams then traded points until the score was 9-5.
However, UMBC was able to stretch their lead to 14-8. The Hawks were able to rally two points but that would be as close as they got as the retrievers ended the set at 25-16.
Katy Henchy posted nine kills in the match, along with 15 assists from Astrid Mangual and six digs. In the second match of the weekend the Hawks took on the Stony Brook SeaWolfs.
The first set was opened up by Stony Brook as they took a quick 5-1 lead.
The Hawks were able to close the lead and tie it at five all. The SeaWolfs were then able to open a lead at 11-6. The two teams traded points till the score was 16-10. The hawks then rallied till the score was tied at 18 all.
However the SeaWolfs were able to close the set 25-21.Stony Brook was able to carry over their momentum from the first set to get out to a 5-0 lead, which then grew to 13-4. The Hawks were able to rally till the score was 13-7 but, the SeaWolfs were able to regain the lead at 17-11. The set was closed out at 25-14 as SBU took a 2-0 lead in the match.
Hoping to avoid another sweep the Hawks came out with everything they had in the third set jumping out to a 4-1 lead then stretching it to 7-3.
The teams then traded points till the score was 12-8. The Hawks were then able to open the lead to 20-11. SBU was able to cut the lead to 22-16 but the Hawks were able to close out the set at 25-17.
In the fourth set, SBU was able to jump out to a 9-3 lead.
he Hawks then slowly chipped away at the lead till the score was 11-9. Stony Brook was then able to close out the set however at 25-14. Katy Henchy recorded 15 kills as well as 27 assists from Astrid Mangual and 12 digs from Paulina Modestow.
The Hawks next game is this upcoming Tues. Nov. 24, 2015 as they play host to Yale in their season finale as they look to end on a high note.
Though it has been an extremelt tough year for the women’s volleyball team, there is no doubt that they should be praised for what they have overcome.
Most of the games they lost were not shutouts and were really close. Unfortunately for the team, they were unable to get it done like they should have. But this just means that the team needs to remember to never give up. which they haven’t.
Yes, they only have two wins on the year but have a chance to make it three. Then from there, work hard in the off-season to improve on their gameplay and teamwork to be able to come back next year and win like they usually do. Being succesful as a new head coach is never easy, but with hardwork and dedication from the team, they look to come back next year and dominate.