After dropping the first two sets to No. 7 Colby-Sawyer College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Volleyball quarterfinals last Wednesday, the volleyball team roared back to take the next two sets. However, the Judges could not prevail in the fifth and final set as the Chargers took 8 of the final 10 points in a 15-10 fifth-set victory, ending the Judges' season.The Judges, who finished the season with a record of 18-17 (2-9 in University Athletic Association play), lost by a score of 25-15, 25-16, 14-25, 16-25, 15-10.

Outside hitter and second-team All-UAA selection Paige Blasco '11 was held out of the match due to a knee injury suffered in the UAA Championships from Nov. 6 to 7.

Blasco finished third in the UAA and first on the team with an average of 3.41 kills per set.

Her 2.80 digs per set also led the Judges while the team ranked 16th in the UAA.

Without Blasco, outside hitter/middle blocker Bridget McCallister '10 recorded 14 kills and 17 digs, both season highs for the departing senior.

After the first set, setter and all-UAA honorable mention selection Abby Blasco '11 was removed from her primary setter position also due to injuries suffered in the UAAs.

Abby Blasco's 8.91 assists ranked fourth in the UAA but easily eclipsed all player averages for the Judges. She led the team with 15 double doubles, finishing second to sister Paige in digs with an average of 2.59 per set.

Her 0.59 service aces per set ranked second on the team and fourth among all UAA players.

Since Abby Blasco was unable to play setter, captain and right-side hitter Piera Carfagno '10 served as the team's setter. Carfagno recorded a career-high 34 assists in her final match as a Judge.

Carfagno recognized that she was the best option to replace Abby Blasco.

"There wasn't really much of a choice [who should play setter] because Abby was hurting," Carfagno said. "I set a little bit last year, so it wasn't completely new [for me]."

Kim noted the problems that the Blascos' injuries posed for the quarterfinal match.

"We had to make some judgments," Kim said. "We used a lineup we never practiced with before, so it was a little bit hectic and chaotic."

With a depleted lineup, outside hitter/middle blocker Lauren Berens '13 saw increased playing time in her 14th appearance of the season.

Berens had a career-best 14 kills in the loss.

While it took time for the Judges to get used to playing with a different lineup than they normally played with, Kim was pleased with how her team played despite the adversity.

"We were able to work through most of [our injuries]," Kim said.

Becca Fischer '13, another first-year who played a more prominent role in the match as a middle blocker, had a team-high five blocks.

Despite the fact that the team finished just above a .500 winning percentage this year, Kim was pleased with her team's play over the course of the season.

"This is a team with a lot of potential," Kim said. "We had a tough schedule, and that's the type of volleyball we want to play: a tough schedule. We worked hard [this year]. At any point, I don't think we gave up on anything. I thought our players worked hard all season, and I'm happy about that."

Along with Abby Blasco, middle blocker Nicole Smith '11 was an honorable mention selection after leading the UAA in blocked shots with 140, averaging 1.16 per set. Smith propelled the team toward the top of the UAA standings in blocked shots with an average of 2.25 per set.

Kim looks forward to next season's team, which will return notable players like the Blasco sisters, Smith, Fischer and libero Anna Homitsky '13.

"We got some good players returning, Kim said. "We are recruiting a lot of good players too, so we will have to see how that goes."

However, the team will graduate Carfagno, McCallister and libero/defensive specialist Lauren Polinsky '10 in the spring.

"I met a lot of fun people, and I am glad I [played for Brandeis]," Carfagno said.

"[Carfagno, McCallister and Polinksky] have done a lot for our program, and I am grateful for that," Kim added.