After losing its first two games to University Athletic Association opponents, No. 5 Washington University in St. Louis and Case Western Reserve University, in the Rochester Invitational last weekend, the volleyball team defeated the host team in straight sets to end the weekend on a high note.The Judges defeated the Yellowjackets last Sunday by a score of 25-16, 25-22, 25-15 and now sit at 11-7 overall and 1-2 in UAA play.

The offensive attack was spread out for the Judges as outside hitter and captain Piera Carfagno '10, outside hitter Paige Blasco '11 and middle blocker Nicole Smith '11 each had six kills in the victory.

Coach Michelle Kim said she was pleased with how her team performed against Rochester.

"We took charge right from the start and controlled the tempo of the game," Kim said. "Because we were in system for most of the time against Rochester, we were able to run our offense and spread the ball."

"We were more consistent in our play, smarter with our hits, better with our serve receives," Carafagno added.

On the defensive side, middle blocker Becca Fischer '13 and Smith both had six blocks. Outside hitter/middle blocker Bridget McCallister '10 had a team-leading ten digs.

"We did a good job blocking," Kim said. "That helped the defense around in the back. We were able to slow down their defense and run something of our own."

Smith echoed her coach's sentiments regarding the team's defense.

"We played as a team and played great defense," she said. "We played really well."

Before their victory against Rochester, the Judges lost to Case Western, which is coached by Brandeis alum Kimberly Chambers Farrell '93, in four sets. After losing the first set 25-23, Brandeis defeated the Spartans 25-18 in the second set. Brandeis could not maintain the momentum, though, and lost the remaining two sets by scores of 25-18 and 25-21.

In the loss, Carfagno had a season-high 18 kills, resulting in a .348 hitting percentage.

"[Carfagno] had a good weekend offensively," Kim said. "We had been working on our offense this week, and we made some of her sets a little bit lower so that it's a little bit faster for her. That's the tempo she likes, and that's the tempo she falls into rhythm with."

Despite her performance, Carafagno was not pleased with her team's loss.

"It was a bit of a rough game for us," Carafagno said. "We never got our momentum going. It was one of those games where it was hard to pinpoint what exactly was causing the problem for us not to win like we should have. It was a game that we should not have lost."

Setter and captain Abby Blasco '11 had 38 assists in the match, combined with six kills, nine digs and three block assists.

"Without [Abby Blasco], I don't think we would do as well," Smith said. "She is a big presence on the court and a great setter. There are balls that it looks like nobody will get, but somehow she gets there, and it [becomes] a playable ball. She sets us hitters with perfect sets. She is an all-around great player."

In their opening game last Saturday, the Judges lost 3-0 to the fifth-ranked Bears of WashU. Brandeis lost by a close score of 25-23 in the first set but fell by scores 25-11 and 25-19 in the next two sets.

Kim knew the difficulty in facing the talented Bears team.

"They are a very good and athletic team," she said. "They are the type of team that won't let up. If you give them an inch, they are going to take advantage of it."

Paige Blasco led the team with eight kills in the loss. Smith added seven kills and three blocks in the losing effort, while Abby Blasco registered 23 assists and nine digs.

Kim said that she thought the loss would be beneficial for the team.

"I am hoping it is something we can learn from and know that we have to pressure teams [like WashU] all the time to have a chance against them," she said.

Brandeis continues its season Saturday when it hosts both the United States Coast Guard Academy and Keene State College.