With a split in their season opener, the Judges look poised to erase the memories of last season. The team was thoroughly outplayed in a sweep by Babson College on Tuesday but rebounded with a narrow five-set win against Colby-Sawyer College.

As the 2015 Women’s Volleyball season begins, the squad look to rebound from their sub-par and sub-.500 2014 to 2015 season. Although the team lost its third-highest scorer in outside hitter Liz Hood ’15, they have kept a solid core with the return of the top two scorers, setter Maddie Engeler ’16 and outside hitter Jessie Moore ’18. The Judges had a tough matchup to begin the season, as Babson was an NCAA tournament team the year before. With a blowout first set, losing 25-9, the Judges were able to pick their play up in the last two sets for a combined total of 31 points. One bright spot in the match, however, was the emergence of middle hitter Kristen Frauens ’19. Frauens led the squad with a solid seven kills and .412 hitting percentage. She added, “It felt great to be able to contribute to the team in a positive way.”

Next up was the high-tension game against the Colby-Sawyer Chargers. The Chargers twice took a one-set lead, but the Judges answered each time. No set was decided by more than four points, until the squad won the final set in a 15-7 rout of the Chargers. Once again, the first-years showed off their young talent with outside hitter Shea Decker-Jacoby ’19 leading the team with 10 kills. Setter Leah Perlman ’19 also had an outstanding game, recording 20 assists, six kills, and a .455 hitting percentage. 

Unfortunately, the next two matchups against Wellesley College and Johnson and Wales University did not go the Judges’s way. 

Dropping both games, the Judges fell to a 1-3 record. Although the game against Wellesley was a tight match, Brandeis could not pull through to win the last set. The Judges looked like they could turn it around in the second set of the match when they went on a 7-1 tear, due in part to setter Allison Harmsworth ’19 and her three clutch services aces. Although the Judges did not come out victorious, the rookies once again played a dominant role. 

Fortunately, the consecutive-day matches did not seem to take a toll on the team.  They pushed the limits against Endicott, as they were able to send the first game to a lengthy, yet unfruitful, 30-28 loss. The team persevered but ultimately went on to lose the next two sets 25-16 and 25-23. Their third straight loss did nothing to decrease their confidence, and they cruised to their second win of the season against Southern Maine University. Despite dropping the first set for a disappointing sixth time this season, the Judges rallied to win their next three straight. Libero Yvette Cho ’19 was named to the All-Tournament team, averaging a stellar 3.47 digs per set. 

 The Judges will look to continue their strong level of play and rack up a few more wins in the coming weeks. The Masssachusetts Institute of Technology Invitational, which begins Friday, will be a great test for the team to see how they hold up against powerhouses Cabrini College and Edgewood College. 

Despite the strong lineup, Engeler exudes confidence—“I couldn’t imagine a better team to play with during my senior year.” With their seasoned veterans and promising first-year core, the Judges aim to start a fresh phase in their history and show the Division lll league that they truly are a force to be reckoned with.