The Observer, October 5, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 6
Spartans have mixed results in first UAA Round Robin
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The volleyball team went 1-2 in the UAA's first Round Robin Tournament of the 2007 season last weekend. The event was held at New York University and is the first of two round robins that will determine seeding for the UAA Championships. The second round robin will be held at Case on Oct. 13 and 14.
The Spartan's first match was against the University of Chicago, a team that easily beat them last year, three games to one in a best of five set. However, this year, Case brought a more competitive squad to the tournament and won the match against Chicago, 3-2. The Spartans are now 4-2 in five game matches this season. "We have a lot of confidence going into the fifth game because of the team's depth," said head volleyball coach Karen Farrell. "That allows us to bring in fresh people at the end of the match and give our regular rotation some rest," she said.
The Spartans had to combat Chicago's height advantage with superior ball control and defense. Leading the defensive effort was middle blocker S.K. Piper, with one solo block and seven block assists. "It's a team sport, so I never really pay attention to that [individual statistics]. All that matters is that I do my job on the court to better the team," said Piper.
The Spartans were overmatched by their next opponent, Washington University, ranked seventhth nationally. The Spartans lost the match, 3-0. "There's a big size difference between the two teams," said Farrell. "Wash. U. plays at a very high competitive level." Still, several Spartans turned in solid performances. Junior Elise Snell finished the match with six kills.
Case played Carnegie Mellon in their final match of the tournament. After dropping the first two games of the match, the Spartans came back to win the third and fourth games. However, they were unable to complete the comeback, losing the fifth game 15-8. "I think as a team we were very hot and cold, but by the end of the tournament on Sunday against Carnegie Mellon we really started to click and perform well together," said Snell, who had 11 kills in the match. "I am coming back from ankle surgery and it felt great to finally play to my potential against Carnegie Mellon on Sunday. There is no way I could have done it without the great passing and setting from my teammates," she said.
Farrell made a lineup adjustment before the round robin. Cassandra McFadden, a sophomore transfer student, got more playing time. "She came in and played confidently. She did a nice job," said Farrell.
Freshman Beth Karpinski had an outstanding tournament, with double-doubles against Carnegie Mellon, where she had 14 kills and 26 digs, and Chicago, with 12 kills and 24 digs. "Beth has done an excellent job all the way around this year," said Farrell.
With six freshmen on the 17-member team, this first UAA Round Robin was an introduction to the tough UAA competition for many on the young squad. "Now we know we can handle UAA level, the freshman know what to expect, and we can go into second around with a confidence we didn't have this past weekend," said Piper.
