After struggling down the stretch last season, the volleyball team kicked off the year on a high note, winning its first two games of the season before losing to host Western Connecticut State University. The Judges made a statement in their first two games, sweeping both Johnson and Wales University and Kean University. However, the team ended the tournament with a 3-0 loss to host Western Connecticut State and finished in second. Coach Michelle Kim was proud of the team's play over the weekend.

"We definitely got [off] to a good start—the team got used to playing with each other and that resulted in some great victories," she said.

Brandeis started off the season with a bang by sweeping Johnson and Wales by scores of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-22. From the first play, the Judges took control and never looked back. Several rookies led the way to victory, displaying the new talent that this year's first-years have to offer. Outside hitter Elizabeth Hood '15 shone in her collegiate debut, leading the team with nine kills and also contributing six digs and two blocks. On the defensive end, Elsie Bernaiche '15 set the tone with 19 digs.

Kim was impressed by her rookies' play in the invitational.

"Given it was their first collegiate match, they played well—they've been practicing a lot in the preseason, and they're getting used to playing with the team," she said.

Outside hitter Si-Si Hensley '14 was second on the team with eight kills. Becca Fischer '13 was flawless at middle blocker, nailing seven kills without committing an error while also adding three blocks. Yael Einhorn '14, in her first game as primary setter, had an impressive 28 assists.

Last Saturday, Brandeis made a statement by sweeping Kean University in the first half of a doubleheader, winning 25-14, 25-12 and 25-20. The team was incredibly efficient on the offensive side and made few mistakes, making just eight unforced errors.

Hood followed up her debut with another terrific game, nailing 12 kills with only one error. Anchoring the defense once again, Bernaiche led the team with 12 digs. Einhorn put in another solid effort, racking up 38 assists and six digs. Hensley contributed 11 kills and four digs, while defensive specialist Susan Sun '13 added seven kills and seven digs.

The Judges ended the weekend on a sour note as they were swept by Western Connecticut State by scores of 26-24, 25-19 and 28-26. Brandeis had the chance to close out the Colonials in the first and third sets, but could not finish them off as they went into overtime and ultimately lost. At 2-1, the Judges are off to a good start but Kim noted that some improvements were necessary before heading into next week's action.

"Our main problem is we need to be more consistent—especially with ball control and passing," she said. "We need to get into a rhythm and the players need to be more comfortable with each other. That will hopefully be resolved as we head deeper into the season."

Brandeis will take on Wellesley College tonight at 7 p.m. The team will then host the annual Brandeis Invitational this weekend, facing Babson College and Bates College on Friday, followed by a match against Rhode Island College on Saturday afternoon.