Oct. 17, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - Since my last entry we have only played 3 matches, but have battled through 14 games to advance to a 3-3 record in CAA play!

Two weekends ago we loaded up the vans for Dulles airport. After getting through one ridiculously long security line we waited nervously as our two coaches ran to our gate with just enough time board. Happy to make it to JFK with everyone on one plane, we headed for Long Island excited and ready to take on last years CAA champions, Hofstra University. Although we started a bit slow, losing the first set, we bounced back quickly and went on to win the next three sets taking the match in four! This was a huge victory for us. I am ecstatic to be able to say that we beat the defending champions, but more importantly, I am really proud of all my teammates. I think we played really well as a team, which helped push us over one of our biggest hurdles: finishing games strong! Although we did have our lapses at the ends of a few of the sets, we rebounded quickly in order to pull out the win.

But in our next match against Northeastern University we had a little more trouble jumping this hurdle. We started the match extremely strong, dominating the match to go up 2-0. But on the other side of the break we found ourselves playing like a completely different team. To Northeastern's credit, they picked up their game significantly, but unfortunately we started to play worse and worse. After two grueling and painful sets, we found ourselves in our first five set match of the season. We were able to pull ourselves together and came out in the fifth ready to play. I am very happy to report that we were soon celebrating two huge wins on the road!

This past Friday we left our dorms with mixed feelings as we headed to the Fieldhouse to play JMU. Of course we were excited to play, but I think we all felt a bit nervous about playing in the Fieldhouse for the first time and bit sad to lose the familiarity of the P.E. Building. But we were soon relaxed as our wonderful fans made it feel like home and with their support, we won the first two sets. But once again we saw a complete 180 as a new team walked out of our locker room. But unlike the game against Northeastern, we never got back on track and ended up losing the match in five games. It was completely heartbreaking and I can say that we are all working extremely hard to remedy these issues and we will be ready for VCU and William and Mary this weekend!