Despite an early two-set lead, the Case Western Reserve University volleyball team concluded their 2024 season with a tough five-set fall to the University of Dubuque in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The squad ends the season with an overall record of 24-8 and a 5-2 record in conference play. Earlier in the semester, the Spartans went on a historic 12-0 run in nonconference matches and recorded Head Coach Karen Farrell’s 500th career win. They also made their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with the match in Holland, Michigan on Nov. 21, hosted by Hope College.
The two Spartan teams traded points in the first match before CWRU went on a 5-0 run off of a kill by third-year outside hitter Kalli Wall, placing them at a 20-16 advantage. The squad maintained the lead to claim the first set. Following the win, the Spartans then carried the momentum into the second set, taking an early 8-3 lead after another 5-0 run once again led by Wall. CWRU did not relinquish their lead, leaving Dubuque trailing the rest of the set. The final kill by Wall gave the Spartans a 25-18 victory.
However, despite their early two set lead, Dubuque would find their spark and claim the next three sets for the NCAA first round win.
Following the loss, Farrell commented on the results during the post-game press conference.
“Hats off to Dubuque. They really played a great volleyball match. They gave us everything that we can handle and more and a really impressive display,” she said. “We obviously are disappointed with our season ending this way in the first round as it did last year at Hope College.”
During the press conference, Head Coach of Dubuque Karrah Davis commented on the turning point in the match up, leading to Dubuque’s win.
“We were able to get our stuff figured out in the third [set] and carry all that momentum with us in the third and fourth set to the fifth set. I’m really proud of [the team] for how we battled back with our mentality,” she said. “[I] said a couple things to get us straightened out a little bit, but it was really them turning it on, getting together and figuring it out.”
While it was an unideal result with the Spartans second consecutive first-round loss at Hope College, the captains were able to reflect upon the success of the season and their achievements during the post-game press conference. In particular, fourth-year captains Rea Marfatia and Carly Scott commented on their graduating senior class.
“Coming in during a recruiting season that was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all looking to form bonds and we were all really excited for volleyball, but also just for life to get back to normal again. We really grew with each other. We fought through our challenges together and celebrated our successes together. I think these bonds will last far beyond volleyball and for many years to come,” Marfatia said.
“Through our four years, we brought this program up to the level it is at now. We’ve made two appearances [at the tournament] back-to-back, which hasn’t been done before and we’re going to be a normal appearance from here on out, I believe. I fully believe it was our class, the class above us, that was the mental turning point of ‘let’s win.’ We’ve had an amazing season and amazing growth in four years.”
Farrell also expressed pride for the nine graduating fourth-years and the impact they have had on the team’s newfound reputation.
“[They’re] a transformational class. All of them, all nine of them. They have worked extremely hard and have been very focused on competing at the highest level,” she said. “We’re super proud of them. They definitely leave a legacy of three straight years [of] 22+-win seasons. The reputation that our program has nationally was unprecedented prior to this.”