The volleyball team lost both of its Little Three matchups over Homecoming weekend. Not only was it tough for the Cardinals to lose to their rivals in front of a home crowd, but the losses also eliminated Wesleyan from contention for a NESCAC playoff spot.
Bates, Colby, and Wesleyan all entered the weekend with identical 2-6 conference records as they vied for the eighth and final playoff berth. Since their Maine rivals each dropped their last two NESCAC games to fall to 2-8, Wes needed just one win to play on into the postseason. But the Cardinals were unable to overcome either Amherst or Williams, and Bates grabbed the eighth and final playoff seed. Bates and Colby both defeated Wes this season and held tiebreakers in the standings, and the Cards finished in 10th overall.
Wesleyan entered the weekend expecting a challenge: Amherst, who beat the Cardinals at home on Friday, Nov. 1, came into the game with a 6-2 record. Williams came to Silloway Gym with a 9-0 record, sealing its perfect season with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-18) win the next day.
A low kill percentage plagued Wesleyan in both matchups: the team posted a .130 rate against Amherst and .125 against Williams. This was in large part due to strong defensive performances by both of the Cardinals’ Little Three opponents, since Amherst and Williams combined for 23 more digs than the hosts.
Captain Kate Centofanti ’14 led the struggling Cardinal offense, posting a team-leading 21 kills through both matches. The bulk of the defensive work rested on the shoulders of Rachel Savage ’17, who recorded 25 digs on the weekend.
Even in the wake of their playoff elimination, the Cardinals carried on with a consistent attitude throughout the trying season; their spirits were never shaken. Count captain Kim Farris ’14 amongst those players who will carry fond memories of the year, despite her team’s struggles.
“This season didn’t turn up the way it could have or how we wanted it,” Farris said. “But that didn’t prevent this season from being the best one yet.”
All season long, the members of the volleyball team counted unity and community as key characteristics of their spirit as a squad. This was a tight-knit group of players and friends, and that dynamic never changed despite many losses that had the potential to cause frustration.
“I have enjoyed playing with everyone on the team more than anything,” Farris said. “The volleyball team has given me such support over the four years and they are some of my closest friends. I can’t thank the team enough for everything they have done.”
For many teams, finishing the year with a 2-8 record and no postseason would be cause to look ahead to next year, and certainly the Cardinals will look to improve their performance come next season. But for this group of volleyball players, 2013 is a year to be relished and remembered fondly, despite the struggles they saw through it.