PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH MCKEE
The Hamilton College women’s volleyball team has officially reached the halfway point of their 2019 season after a weekend of play against two tough NESCAC opponents. The Continentals have started the 2019 season on a strong note, posting a 7–3 record in their first ten games.
The team entered NESCAC conference play on a four-game win streak, and extended that mark to five games after a 3–1 victory over Trinity. The streak was snapped, however, during Family Weekend when the Continentals suffered a 3–0 loss to the Williams College Ephs. The Continentals hoped to regain their winning momentum this past weekend, as they travelled to play two NESCAC opponents.
On Friday, Oct. 4, the Continentals took the court in Medford, Massachusetts to take on Tufts University. The Jumbos, ranked 17th in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, came into the match undefeated in both conference and non-conference play. Tufts played to their skill in the match, posing a .412 hitting percentage compared to Hamilton’s .090.
The first set consisted of Hamilton using two of its timeouts early on to stay organized and focused. The timeouts seemed to help, as the team was eventually able to cut Tufts’ lead down to two with help from two kills from Deirdre Corrigan ’23 and an ace by Kendall Searcy ’20. The Continentals were unable to fully catch up, however, and lost the set 25–19.
The second set started off in Hamilton’s favor, but after Tufts got eight consecutive points, the team could not regain the lead. Tufts took the second set 25–15 and continued to dominate in the third set, holding Hamilton to just seven points. The Jumbos quickly closed out the third set to take the match in straight sets.
Despite the team’s loss, Hamilton was still able to put up strong individual numbers. Giuliana Rankin ’20 led the team with nine kills and also put up a solo block. Rankin is currently ranked fourth in the NESCAC in kills per set with 3.26. Nikki Matsuoka ’21 lead both the Continentals and the Jumbos in digs with 15. Matsuoka is ranked third in the NESCAC in digs per set with 5.14.
The following day, Oct. 5, the Continentals hit the road again, this time headed for Brunswick, Maine to take on the Bowdoin College Polar Bears in another NESCAC match.
The play was even in the first set with nine ties at the start of the match to make the score 11–11. The Polar Bears then went on a four-point run, and the Continentals could not catch up.
The team regained their focus going into the second set. It began in a similar fashion to the first set with nine ties and five lead changes. The Continentals were able to match Bowdoin most of the way, and the score eventually reached 20–20. The Polar Bears, however, won the next five points to secure the second set.
Bowdoin’s momentum continued into the third set, as they took an early 10–3 lead. Hamilton called a timeout, but Bowdoin did not lose their focus coming out of the break. The Polar Bears quickly won the third set 25–15 to take the match victory.
This past weekend’s matches did not go in Hamilton’s favor, but the Continentals have a chance to redeem themselves soon. They will attempt to defend their home court in Margaret Bundy Scott Field House this weekend against two more NESCAC opponents. Hamilton takes on Bates College this Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 PM, and the following day the Continentals take on Colby College at 2 PM.
