Volleyball Team Splits Road Matches

Author: Dan Russell

The Middlebury College women's volleyball team played two of its final three regular season games this weekend traveling to Plattsburgh State in New York and Plymouth State in New Hampshire. The squad put in a grand effort to gain momentum for the upcoming NESCAC tournament, but was only able to claim one victory.

Playing Plattsburgh for the second time this year, Middlebury suffered a minor setback as the Cardinals got an early jump on the Panthers, mounting a big lead early that the team couldn't overcome. Undaunted, the Panthers were able to rebound and win the next three consecutive games 30-19, 30-25, 30-27. Captain Katy Hicks '05 continued to be a dominant force on offense with 18 kills, while co-captain Danielle Boniello '04 added nine. Stellar first-year Lacee Patterson demonstrated her versatility with yet another strong performance on both offense and defense, registering 12 kills as well as 20 digs. Jamie Wong '06 continued her defensive dominance from the back row with 16 digs, while Laurie Wollin '05 and Sydney Hartsock '05 both added 13.

Two days later Middlebury traveled to Plymouth State and, in what would prove to be an exhaustive contest and one of the most competitive games of the year, were pushed to their second five-match series of the season. The two evenly matched teams traded wins back and forth, before a physically spent Panther team finally fell in the decisive match, 15-8. Four of the major contributors to the Panthers success this year, Hicks, Boniello, Hartsock, and Patterson, all contributed very strong individual performances on offense and defense in a valiant effort to carry the team and in a compelling display of leadership. On offense Hicks and Boniello combined for 20 kills, while Hartsock added 15 kills and Patterson added 12. On the defensive end Boniello registered four solo blocks while Hicks added three solo blocks and one block assist. Patterson contributed 24 digs and Hartsock 14. Wong continued to impress with 23 digs.

It was an extremely difficult loss, but perhaps a litmus test of the Panthers' strengths as the season comes to a close, and also what they have left to improve upon if they are to be competitive in the upcoming NESCAC tournament. "I thought we played well," said Boniello. "Although the loss was disappointing, it was a good test for us, and gives us a good idea of the things we need to work on and emphasize before the NESCACs. We obviously need to do some more work, but I have confidence that we'll continue to play well and stay competitive." With the loss, the Panthers fall to 10-10 on the season. They will next play St. Michael's College on Oct. 28, before traveling to Wesleyan University on Oct. 31 to compete in the NESCAC playoffs.