The Observer, September 21, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 4
Sizzling Spartans have strong outing at Case Tournament
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Case Western Reserve University volleyball is red hot. A team that has been rebuilding over the last several years appears on the verge of a breakout season.
The Case men's basketball team and 175 Spartan fans looked on as the women notched wins against Baldwin-Wallace and John Carroll University.
Case knocked off Baldwin-Wallace for the first time in five years last Wednesday, as junior setter Julie Schaefer recorded her second triple-double of the season. Schaefer contributed 10 kills, 44 assists, and 19 digs against the Yellow Jackets in a five-game victory. She won the University Athletic Association's Athlete of the Week award for outstanding play during the Case Tournament and the victory over Baldwin-Wallace.
The Spartans hosted an eight-team tournament last weekend at the Veale Center. Teams from NCAA Division III and the NAIA came hungry to win the Case Tournament title. Colleges participating included Ursuline College, Roberts Wesleyan University, Urbana University, Ohio Dominican University, John Carroll University, Notre Dame College and Lake Erie College.
The Spartan's won their first match of the Case Tournament three to two (25-30, 30-28, 30-23, 31-33, 15-13) over Notre Dame College. The victory brought Case's overall record to .500 for the first time all season.
Sophomore middle blocker S.K. Piper nailed 16 kills and freshman outside hitter Beth Karpinski made 30 digs to ice the victory over Notre Dame. It was a battle from start to finish, but Case pulled through with solid attacking and great defense.
Thirty minutes later, the Spartans took on John Carroll and swept them three games to none (30-27, 33-31, 30-25) for their third consecutive victory.
Case clicked on all cylinders. Schaefer was setting beautifully, assisting on 39 points and saving eight digs. Karpinski and senior middle blocker Julianna Burrows were on non stop attack, nailing shots with a high percentage, as Karpinski iced fifteen kills with a .500 hit percentage against the Blue Streaks. Defensively, the tactics and blocking were apparent, as John Carroll struggled to score on the Spartan's.
"We played incredible volleyball today, incredible defense and the blocking was terrific," coach Karen Farrell said after day one's two victories. "The team showed mental toughness at the end of every single game, when in the past those are games we would've lost."
Case started day two with a tough loss to Ohio Dominican University, falling three games to one (30-27, 21-30, 29-31, 20-30) to the Panthers and setting up a third place match with Roberts Wesleyan University.
The Spartans trailed two games to one against Roberts Wesleyan, but came back to defeat the Raiders three to two (30-25, 19-30, 28-30, 30-21, 15-11).
Leading the charge for the Spartans against the Raiders was Piper with 16 kills and three aces, Karpinski with 13 kills and 29 digs and Schaefer with 31 assists and twenty digs.
Case finished the tournament in third place with a tournament record of three and one behind Ohio Dominican University and the champion, Ursuline College. Case's overall games record was 10-6.
Sophomore Andrea Libero was the lone Spartan named to the Case All-Tournament team and contributed heavily all weekend.
The Spartans have now won seven of their last 10 matches and improve their overall record to 7-6. They are more than halfway to last season's win total of 12 victories and the volleyball team appears ready for UAA conference play.
Case players were ecstatic about the support from Case students, alumni, and parents.
"When you get out on that court in a home match and everyone is cheering for you and you're competing for your school and team, it's an incredible feeling," said Schaefer.
Case travels to Allegheny College this Saturday for a three team showdown, starting off the tri-match against Denison University at 2 p.m.
