Seven conference opponents flooded Gosman this weekend, as Brandeis hosted the competitive UAA Championships. But the tournament hosts fired nothing but blanks, as the volleyball team went 0-4, good for last place in the eight-team tournament. Meanwhile, previously undefeated Washington University-ranked No. 1 in the nation-fell to No. 3 Emory University in the finals, marking just the second time in the 19-year history of the tournament that the Bears did not take the title.

The Eagles won the tournament for the first time in its history behind the outstanding play of senior setter Catherine Zidow, who finished the tournament with 171 assists. With the win, they earn a berth into the NCAA tournament, which starts Nov 10.

The Judges were unable to use the home court to their advantage as they lost their last four UAA games against Emory, New York University, University of Rochester, and Case Western Reserve University. The Judges gutted out a 3-2 five-game match against Case Western in the tournament's consolation round on Sunday, but lost their final game of the season 15-11. The team ends the season with a 17-22 record, including 1-6 in UAA play.

Lorraine Wingenbach '09, the team's scoring leader and breakout rookie star, said she was pleased, but not content, with the team's season.

"I think [the season] was hard," she said. "We had a lot of ups and downs, and we were all kind of new. Taking it all into account, though, I think we did well. Personally, I would have liked to have a record over .500."

Coach Michelle Kim could not be reached for comment.

In Friday's two opening matches, the Judges suffered back-to-back 3-0 loses to Emory and NYU. In the day's final match, the Judges came out swinging, but eventually lost to Rochester 3-1 (30-28, 30-25, 26-30 and 30-27).

On day two, Brandeis attempted to win a grueling five-game match against Case Western. Tied at 2-2, the match came down to a final game, but a season-ending 15-11 loss eliminated Brandeis from further tournament play and slotted the Judges in last place.

Jenny Sandler '08 said she thought the Judges' season presented optimism and showed improved performance.

"I think the season, overall, went well," she said. "We were a really young team coming into it with a lot of new players and only one senior. I thought in the beginning it was tough because we didn't really know how to play together. We came a really far way and really came together as a team, even though we were really young."

With eight underclassmen returning, Sandler said she and the rest of the team are very optimistic about their future.

"I am really excited for next year." Sandler said. "We won't have any seniors on the floor, but the juniors will have been playing together for a solid two years. I think we are going to mesh better on the court and come out a lot stronger."

Wingenbach said some incoming players may be an added bonus, possibly bringing some new, more physically advantaged weapons to the Judges.

"I am excited for next year," Wingenbach said. "I think we are going to get a lot of new players in- even some tall ones.