Shannon Welch/Photo Editor
On Saturday, Oct. 27, Wesleyan women’s volleyball ended its 2012 season with a decisive 3-1 win over the Hamilton Continentals. This marks the 12th straight Cardinal victory over Hamilton, putting the all-time standings between the two teams at a sound 20-4 in favor of the Cardinals. But in spite of the strength of this win over Hamilton, Wesleyan still missed earning the eighth and final seed in the NESCAC championship tournament to be played this weekend. The Bates Bobcats fell to both Trinity and Amherst this past week, securing the eighth and final spot in the tournament for the Colby Mules.
Regardless, the Cardinals still showed tremendous individual and team talent on Saturday. They were determined and cohesive, and their execution was arguably the best that they have exhibited as a squad all season. This win over Hamilton adds to a streak of Cardinal victories; Wesleyan has won five of its last seven matches, a remarkably powerful end to an otherwise mixed season.
From the first set, the Cardinals proved that they were hungry for victory. After going point for point with the Continentals, Wesleyan broke a 12-12 tie, and went on a 13-3 streak that ended the match 25-15. Hamilton rallied back slightly in the second set, also breaking a 12-12 stalemate and squeezing out a 25-20 win over Wesleyan. The Cards once again dominated the third set, winning easily by a margin of 25-13, never letting Hamilton get within more than six points of the lead. Hamilton once again gained momentum in the fourth set, bringing the set to a competitive tie at 19-19. A pair of accurately placed kills by Kate Centofanti ’14 brought the score to 21-19. Junior Kim Farris’ pair of kills coupled with an assisted block ensured victory for the Cardinals at a final margin of 25-21.
Several individual Cardinals ended the season by posting some impressive numbers and adding to their already stellar stats. Farris led the team in kills in the 2012 season with a 2.81 average. Monica Leslie ’14 had a .289 hitting percentage, as well as an average of 2.43 kills per set. Centofanti was the team leader in aces this season with a solid 31. Claire Larson ’15 averaged 6.76 assists per set, while Brenna Tharnstrom ’16 was right behind her, averaging 6.47 assists per set. Leading in blocks were Leslie and Abby Southam ’16, with 62 and 60, respectively. Sofia Davila ’16 was the leading Cardinal defensively with a solid average of 3.90 digs per set.
Three members of the squad, all tri-captains, finished their Cardinal careers yesterday. Laura Volgeneau ’13 had career totals of 130 kills and 50 blocks, Jeanne McPhee ’13 had 143 digs, and Katie Schad ’13 had 116 digs while playing for Wes.
Ultimately, the 2012 season for the Wesleyan women’s volleyball team was a mixed bag. The beginnings of the season proved to be strong, however the team seemed to hit a rough patch midway in. The Cardinals rallied toward the end of play, winning many of their last matches and ending on a high note against Hamilton. The team’s prospects for next season already look strong, as they lose almost none of their key players to graduation. Many of their top members will surely be looking to prove themselves in their senior season.