The Brandeis women's volleyball team (20-7 overall, 2-5 UAA) faced its second consecutive week of UAA competition at the UAA Round Robin at the University of Rochester. The Judges faced four strong teams in New York University, Rochester, Washington University and Carnegie Mellon University. While the Judges lost to all four of those schools, several of the matches were very close, leaving the Judges just short of several would-be victories.
Brandeis began the Round Robin on Saturday against nationally-ranked NYU (27-1 overall, 6-1 UAA). The Judges lost that match 3-0 by individual game scores of 30-16, 30-24, 20-24. While the Judges were swept, they did progressively better against this very talented Violet squad, and were just a few points shy of taking the second and third games.
Later that day, Brandeis faced Rochester (19-9 overall, 2-5 UAA) and lost a very tough match 3-2. The teams split the first two games, but Brandeis gained a slight advantage with a 32-30 victory in the third game. Unfortunately for the Judges, Rochester raised its level of play and won game four 32-30 before going on to take the deciding game 15-13.
"This was a game we definitely could have won," Co-Captain Marni Kutok said, "but we didn't play our best and Rochester was playing really well. They were bringing everything back over and it was difficult for us to put the ball down when we needed to."
The Judges faced WashU (24-3 overall, 7-0 UAA), another nationally-ranked team, in their first match on Sunday, and were defeated by the Bears 3-0, 30-14, 30-14, 30-25.
In their final match of the weekend, the Judges suffered an immensely disappointing loss to Carnegie Mellon (17-7 overall, 4-3 UAA), 3-2. Brandeis won the first two games 30-23 and 30-27, but could not finish off the surging Tartans as they lost the final three games 30-21, 30-27 and 15-13.
"I think the toughest loss was to Carnegie Mellon," Kutok added. "We played an amazing match, but it just wasn't enough. It is tough to lose matches like that, especially when you go to five games. It is heartbreaking. We wanted to win, and we did all we could, but it just wasn't enough at that time."
While the team had to endure the season's first string of consecutive losses, their outlook remains optimistic and upbeat.
"Sure losing was frustrating," Co-Captain Isabel de Koninck '04 said, "especially to Rochester and Carnegie, both of whom we had the opportunity and ability to beat. We played well, and playing well but not coming away with the win is difficult, but in extremely close matches there's really not more you can do."
"As a team we're confident in our abilities," de Koninck continued. "We work well together and we'll continue to work hard all season so that we can finish strong and be proud of our accomplishments."
Brandeis learned a great deal this weekend, and will make use of their valuable new knowledge as the team returns to New England this week.
"We learned how important it is to get ahead in the beginning of games," Becca Segal '05 said. "We often will find ourselves in a three or four-point deficit from the beginning and then the rest of the game we're playing catch-up. The lead in the beginning is important because it sets the tone for the rest of the game."
The Judges also learned what they are capable of in the ultra-intense atmosphere of conference play.
"This weekend we learned how well we can play when we come together as a team on the court," Kutok remarked. "We had some amazing defense and clicked well with each other during the Carnegie match. Although we lost, we know that if we play like that against New England schools, we would be unstoppable."
Today the Judges will look to bounce back against regional rival Tufts University at Gosman at 7 p.m. This weekend, Brandeis will play in the Hall of Fame Tournament at South Hadley, Mass.
"This week we have some important regional play coming up," Kutok added. "I think it's just important for us to keep focused and play aggressively.