Sweeping the competition in the Judges Classic has become an unofficial tradition of sorts for the volleyball team. The Judges continued that tradition last weekend, routing non conference opponents Baruch College, the State University of New York in Geneseo and Moravian College. Since 2003, Brandeis has a 22-0 match record when hosting the annual two-day classic.

Brandeis did not drop a set throughout the tournament, outscoring the opposition by an average set score of about 25 to 16 points. No team scored more than 19 points in any single frame last weekend.

"I thought it went over pretty well. It's hard playing easy, not really with-it teams," outside hitter Piera Carfagno '10 said. "There's not really a significant reward after each play, so it's hard to keep [focused]."

Brandeis improved its record to 17-11, including 3-4 in conference play. Outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach '09 earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors after recording a combined 30 kills and 39 digs, while middle blocker Nicole Smith '11 was named to the all-tournament team, posting a total of 23 kills and 14 blocks.

During last Saturday afternoon's match against Moravian, the Judges initially trailed 10-4 in the first set before coach Michelle Kim called a time-out to briefly speak with her players.

"I think we just went into the match kind of thinking we could walk all over this team, and that's not how we should be playing at any point," Kim said. "It wasn't really necessary to strategize . but more to get them focused and get out there and play the game we know how to play."

After the time-out, the players responded, outscoring Moravian 9-3 to tie the score at 13 before going on to take the set 25-18. Brandeis won the second and third sets 25-15 and 25-13, respectively, for the sweep.

Kim credited Moravian with effectively varying the speed and distance of its serves and said this change of pace may have led to the Judges' initial struggles.

"I think sometimes our players get so used to playing against teams that hit hard and serve line drives at us, . and sometimes we have a tough time adjusting to teams that mix up the off-speed shots," she said. "But we know how to play those teams; we just weren't picking that up quick enough."

Setter Abby Blasco '11 had 35 assists and 10 digs in the match, while libero Violette Ruggiero '09 had a team-high 17 digs. Danielle Friedman '09 came off the bench to contribute 10 digs and four service aces.

Earlier in the day, Brandeis defeated Geneseo 25-16, 25-18, 25-19. Kim felt Geneseo offered the "biggest challenge" for Brandeis during the tournament because it featured both taller and more powerful hitters as well as "bigger" blockers than the Judges are used to facing.

Blasco had 32 assists and 15 digs in the match. Wingenbach had 13 kills and 15 digs, and Carfagno registered nine kills, four assists and three digs.

Brandeis took the first set against Baruch 25-5 Friday evening. Baruch proved to be more competitive in the final two sets but ultimately dropped those 25-19 and 25-17.

"We can definitely beat all those teams 25-5 if we just focus," outside hitter Paige Blasco '11 said. "I don't think it's common, but if we kept up our intensity that could definitely happen."

Wingenbach had 12 kills and 13 digs, while Abby Blasco had 30 assists and five digs. Smith added nine kills in the victory.

Brandeis will head to Washington University in St. Louis for the 22nd-annual University Athletic Association Championship Tournament next Friday and Saturday. The Judges are seeded fifth, and players have stated that the team goal is to finish in at least third place in the eight-team conference.