After having gone 2-0 on Friday, the first day of last weekend's two-day Brandeis Invitational, the volleyball team found itself in an 8-0 hole during the first set of a match against Trinity College last Saturday, threatening their hopes for a perfect weekend. Yet behind the serving of All-American outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach '09, the Judges reeled off seven consecutive points, rallying from an early deficit to win the set 25-22. Brandeis never looked back from there, silencing the Bantams in straight sets to gain its third out of four straight victories at last weekend's tournament.

The Judges improved their record to 7-1 with the weekend sweep, dropping just one set total in defeating Smith College, Williams College, Trinity College and Rhode Island College, respectively. The perfect weekend came after last Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Wellesley College, the Judges' only loss thus far this season.

"We did well [this weekend]," coach Michelle Kim said. "The points that we needed to step up, we stepped up; we stepped up in the Williams match, which was big for us, and that was the match that we played with a lot of intensity and a lot of heart."

Wingenbach attributed Trinity's early lead to "a good serve on their part" but credited the Judges' "team effort" and their experience.

"We've all been here before, and we've played teams like this in the past, and we know what we need to do to win," Wingenbach said.

The Bantams came out strong again in the second set, rolling to a 5-0 lead, but with setter Abby Blasco '11 serving four consecutive points, the Judges took their first lead of the set at 15-14. The teams remained close and were tied at 24, but, needing two consecutive points to win the set, the Judges got two straight kills by middle blocker Bridget McAllister '10 to win the set 26-24.

"We had talked to [McAllister] in the last timeout about turning her shot to the right back corner and she made that adjustment right away and was able to get those [winning] kills for us," Kim said.

Brandeis jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the third set and never looked back, winning the set 25-16 to clinch the match.

"[Trinity is] a solid team, and it's a confidence booster for us to get a win against teams like Trinity and Williams," Kim said.

The Judges used a balanced effort throughout the tournament to cruise through the competition. Outside hitter Paige Blasco '11 was named to the all-Tournament team after recording double-figure kills and digs against both Trinity and Williams and establishing a new career high with 19 kills against Williams. Abby Blasco '11 contributed 41 assists against Trinity, 50 against Williams and double-digit digs in both matches despite a chronic hamstring injury that limits her in practice. Wingenbach registered 15 kills against Williams, three service aces against Trinity and eight kills versus Rhode Island.

"We have a lot of talented players but a small roster, so it takes every player working hard every day in and out working hard together," Kim said. "We have a pretty well-rounded offense that can keep the other team on their toes."

Tufts University also finished the weekend with a perfect 4-0 record, and Babson College was the final team in attendance, posting a 1-3 record during the Invitational.

Brandeis saw its six-game winning streak dating back to last season snapped with a 3-1 loss to Wellesley last Tuesday. The Judges dropped the first two sets before winning the third 26-24, but they were unable to hold on, losing the fourth set 25-22.

Brandeis will host Endicott College Thursday at 7 p.m.