Netters fall in tight match

Author: James Kemper Dolan

Women's volleyball opened their season at the Potsdam Invitational on Sept. 9th. The Panthers hit it off with two wins against Potsdam and Oswego but ended up losing their next two matches the following day to Roberts Wesleyan and University of Rochester. They will enter the NESCAC Quad this weekend with a 2-2 record.

Last year, the Panthers reached the semifinals of the NESCAC Tournament by defeating Colby. They fell behind in the quarterfinal match 2 sets to 0, but managed to rally and win 3 straight sets. After their rally to stay alive, Williams defeated Middlebury in the semifinal and went on to win the NESCAC title for the fourth consecutive year.

This year Coach Sarah Raunecker has a deep bench at her disposal, which she hopes will give them an advantage. The team has five new first-years, including a new setter Olivia Minkhorst '09 and middle hitter, Josie Keller '09. Having another player ready to go "gives us great flexibility when someone is not having a good day," said Raunecker.

First-years were unable to attend the Potsdam Invitational, but Lindsay Patterson '08.5 joined the team in the tournament and contributed 15 kills against Potsdam as well as 20 defensive kills against Rochester.

During the season, Middlebury hopes to work on their defense and timing. Coach Raunecker commented that the arrival of new players means the Panthers have to work even harder at their ability to work together. By the time the NESCAC tournament arrives, Raunecker hopes to "be peaking and really working together like a well-oiled machine, to use the old cliche."

Coach Raunecker will be helped by captains Lacee Patterson '07 and Jamie Wong '06 in uniting the team. Last weekend, Patterson contributed 13 digs and 47 assists in the first game alone. Wong also added 26 digs in their win against Oswego.

Following the Potsdam Invitational, Raunecker said, "We showed real promise with our passing, tough serving and some of our attacking." Raunecker did say that the team was relatively inconsistent during the tournament, which they hope to change in the coming weeks.

"When we get things smoothed out a bit, we have the potential to have many different options," she said. Coach Raunecker said she is optimistic about this year's season.

This weekend the Panthers will face Wesleyan, Trinity and Connecticut College in the NESCAC Quad. There, the Panthers hope to use their veteran players, as well as the depth of their bench to prove they are a balanced team.