Setter Abby Blasco '11, the 2007 University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, has been sidelined with a pulled hamstring for the past two weekends.She said she hopes to return to the court for next weekend's matches against the United States Coast Guard Academy and Keene State College.

Blasco injured her hamstring in a match against Tufts University Sept. 23rd and hasn't been able to practice since. Without her in the lineup, the Judges have dropped five of their last six matches.

In her absence, libero Violette Ruggiero '09 and outside hitter Piera Carfagno '10 have split time at setter. The Judges have no natural backup setter.

"It's hard [to replace Blasco], but [Ruggiero] and [Carfagno] stepped up, and when we face adversity like this we need everyone to step up and contribute a little extra," coach Michelle Kim said.

Blasco praised her teammates for their play without her, even in defeat.

"It's hard because we don't have an actual backup setter, but different people filled the roles and I thought it was good," she said.

Blasco currently leads Brandeis in both digs and assists, averaging 3.41 digs and 9.74 assists a set.