Volleyball Stuns Colby, Loses to Amherst ar NESCAC Tournament

Author: Bryan Goldberg

The Middlebury women's volleyball team finished its season in dramatic fashion Saturday, upsetting second-seeded Colby before falling to Amherst in the semifinals of the New Engalnd Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship tournament. The Panthers, riding a nine-game winning streak, finished their season with a very strong record of 17-11, eclipsing last season's mark both in terms of record and postseason performance.
The Panthers were confident going into the Colby matchup, since they lost their first meeting in a five-game nailbiter. This time, however, the tables were turned, and it was Middlebury who won what seemed like anybody's game.
Trailing two sets to one, the Panthers came together to pull out a 30-28 win in the fourth set. Colby was not able to contain the adrenaline that rushed through the Panthers, who squeaked by in the fifth and final set with a 16-14 victory.
The Panthers had to support their senior captain Evan Kanaly, who was forced to play the entire weekend through the pain of a sprained ankle incurred during Middlebury's practice on Thursday. Despite the injury, Kanaly performed impressively, leading her team with 27 kills, 13 digs and ending the night with a .338 hitting percentage. First-year player Ellen Wohlberg helped to propel the Panthers as she registered nine kills and 16 digs. Katie Kenney '03 and Jamie Wong '06 each amassed 19 digs, while Kenney managed to assist on 40 points.
"We beat them when it counted," explained Katy Hicks '05. "We knew that it was going to be close, but we also knew that it was a match we could win."
Despite the difference in seeding, Middlebury was one of the hottest teams heading into the postseason. The second half of the season was amazingly productive for the Panthers, as they went on a nine-game winning streak. They impressively beat a number of NESCAC opponents, raising their standings in the league. In addition, they took a losing season and turned it into one of the most successful winning seasons in the history of the volleyball program.
The loss to Amherst, which was similar to the result in the last regular-season game, while disappointing, could not spoil what turned out to be a remarkable season. Again Kanaly played through her ankle problems and walked off the court with 17 kills and 17 digs. Wong anchored and paced the defense with 25 digs, as she did the day before.
Not only did the Panthers maintain one of the longest winning streaks in team history, but they also turned their season around in dramatic fashion, collecting the must-win victories before enthusiastic homecoming crowds.
Another bright spot for the team was the role the first-year students played. This year's team had five first-year students, meaning that next season's squad will almost certainly improve upon 2002's success.
"Our prospects for next year are excellent," said Jacqueline Edwards '06. "We've all learned a ton.We were very satisfied with how this year played out, and next season should be just as exciting."