No. 8 Colorado College women’s volleyball (25-2) saw mixed results over Block Break during a road trip to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Volleyball Invitational in Oshkosh, Wisc. After rolling over Martin Luther College (25-15, 25-17, 25-8) and the University of St. Thomas (25-15, 25-14, 25-19) in straight-set victories the Tigers gave up their second loss of the season in a tie-breaking fifth set to No. 12 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In their final game of the tournament the Tigers defeated No. 17 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22).
The game against Martin Luther College was a historic day for the volleyball program: Coach Rick Swan recorded his 600th match as head coach for the Tigers. This season is his 18th as head coach, and he is currently leading the Tigers to their best start in program history.
When asked about the team’s success this season Swan responded, “This team has a ton of depth and so many players find a way to contribute each day not only in matches but also in practice. We are very fortunate that we don’t have to rely on just one or two players to win a match for us.”
The Tigers showed their teeth last weekend with dominant play against Martin Luther. Aggressive attacks from outside hitter’s senior Courtney Birkett and sophomore Reagan Folaron kept the Knights at bay, enabling the Tigers to win three straight sets. Birkett led Colorado College in the match with 10 kills and 14 assists.
The Tigers displayed a defensive dominance over a three-set sweep of St. Thomas. Colorado College forced the Tommies into 20 errors in 114 attempts and only allowing 19 kills for a hitting percentage of -.009. Nearly earning a double-double, junior Abbe Holtze led the team with 11 kills and nine digs. First-years Aria Dudley and Myca Steffey-Bean were close behind with eight and six kills apiece and hitting percentages of .615 and .500 respectively.
The Saturday morning match against Wisconsin Whitewater proved to be the most challenging for Colorado College. The Warhawks leapt ahead winning the first two sets by tallies of 25-21 and 27-25. The Tigers fought their way back, winning the third and fourth sets, to tie the match at two sets apiece. A close fifth set resulted in a Warhawks win, and the only loss for the Tigers in the tournament.
Despite the loss, the team still put up an impressive performance, especially from Holtze, who led the team with 16 kills and Steffey-Bean who had nine kills, two solo blocks, and four block assists. “Myca Steffey-Bean is consistently becoming more of a force in the middle both with her attacking and blocking,” Coach Swan, said
The Tigers returned to their usual controlling play Saturday afternoon against Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Winning in four sets, the seniors drove the Tigers to victory. Senior Sophie Merrifield posted an impressive 30 digs, and teammate Birkett achieved a triple double with 10 kills, 20 assists, and 10 digs.
With their sights set on nationals, the Colorado College volleyball team members are keeping their heads held high as they return home this weekend to host a conference tournament and face off against Southwestern, Schreiner, Trinity, and Texas Lutheran. “The team believes in themselves and are working hard to reach their goal,” said Coach Swan. “They realize that they must continue to work hard and keep improving every day we walk on the court.”