While the eyes of the world were fixated on the debate at Washington University on Thursday night, volleyball tuned up for conference play against cross-town opponent Webster University.
The momentum from its victory that night carried into the weekend as No. 4 Wash. U. demolished Case Western Reserve University, the University of Rochester and Carnegie Mellon University.
“We just needed a confidence boost,” senior Alli Alberts said. “We weren’t all over the place. We were all just playing much better together.”
Wash. U. is now on a five-match winning streak after dropping two games last weekend.
The Bears were not happy about playing during the vice presidential debate, especially since they were unable to practice on their home court during the week leading to the debate.
“We really wanted to get it done and get home,” senior Ali Crouch said.
According to Crouch, the Red and Green were able to watch the latter half of the debate.
Alberts led the sweep of Webster (25-18, 25-15, 25-16) with a career-tying high of 16 kills on a .393 performance. Freshman Lauren Budde was successful in 14 of 31 set attempts in her first collegiate start as setter.
Wash. U. started off strong against Rochester, taking the first two sets 25-9 and 25-8. Kasson and Morrison continued their fiery streak turning in .875 and .889 kill success rates.
The Red and Green sputtered in the third as new players and plays were added to the mix.
“Their energy just switched on,” Crouch said. “It was more our mistakes. Volleyball is a very energy-based sport.”
Freshman Brittany Mikottis tied the score at 24, but the Bears could not convert falling 27-25. Wash. U. got back on track with 14 kills on 26 attempts to clinch the match with a 25-7 fourth set win.
Sunday’s games were more competitive.
“Our strengths are team chemistry and execution,” Mikottis said.
The Bears shut down Carnegie Mellon with a 25-15, 25-12, 25-12 sweep. Wash. U. registered 10 blocks in the match.
Case Western put up a fight, bringing the first set to 19-18, but Wash. U. unleashed a string of four straight points to take the game. Junior Erin Albers notched five of the 13 kills in the first set.
The Red and Green were propelled to a 25-15 win in the second set due to the efforts of Crouch and Alberts. Crouch tallied a career-high 12 kills in the match. Alberts led the team, recording 50 kills with a .384 performance while senior Audra Janak had 125 sets in the last four matches. Freshman Tricia Brandt rattled off four service aces in an 8-0 run as Wash. U. captured the final set 25-17.
“It’s always good to go out and have a good showing,” senior Nikki Morrison said. “It’s nice to get our team straight back to where it can.”
Wash. U. returns to the Field House this Friday with matches against Endicott College and Williams College at 5:15 p.m. before facing No. 20 Christopher Newport University at 10 a.m. and Illinois Wesleyan University at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“I can’t wait to see the fans come back out and have some Wash. U. pride,” sophomore Marya Kaminski said.
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