By MICHAEL POZO
This weekend the Blue Jays volleyball team traveled down to Atlanta, Ga. to compete in the Emory Classic.
The team played four games over the course of the two-day tournament, finishing with a 2-2 record and placing the team at 4-5 for the season as they gear up to begin conference play this week.
In the first match of the tournament, the Blue Jays faced off against Birmingham Southern.
The match was closely contested as the teams traded leads throughout the entire game.
The Jays won the first set 25-23, using a 7-2 run to close out the set. Birmingham would respond with a 25-23 win of their own in the second set.
The teams would split the next two sets, 20-25 Hopkins and 25-22 Birmingham, to set up a decisive fifth set. Birmingham dominated the finale, winning the set 15-6 and the match.
In the second match of the day, the Blue Jays played the Eagles of Emory.
Emory is currently ranked No. 1 in the country with an undefeated record for the season. Hopkins fell to Emory in straight sets (25-20, 25-12, 25-11).
Some highlights from the match include seven kills from sophomore Elizabeth Wuerstle and 12 digs from senior Stephanie Yokoyama.
Looking to avenge their first day losses, the Blue Jays returned to court with a renewed intensity on the second day of competition.
The first match of the day was against Covenant College. Hopkins came out of the gate strong, winning the opening set handily, 25-16. The subsequent sets, however, were more fiercely contested.
After being tied at 16 apiece, the Blue Jays broke off a four-point streak to fuel a 25-19 second set win. Covenant seemed to find its footing in the third set, stealing a 25-22 third set victory. The fourth and final set was very close. Hopkins jumped to an 8-1 lead, but the Scots came back to tie the set at 11.
The score went back and forth for the rest of the match as each team capitalized on its opportunities. Hopkins managed to hold on to win the set 25-23, claiming the victory.
Wuerstle and sophomore Erica Johnston both logged double-doubles for the Lady Jays. Additionally, senior Carolyn Zin tallied 34 assists.
In the second match of the day Hopkins edged Piedmont International University in straight sets. The Blue Jays won 25-13, 25-15 and 25-17. Senior Ali Cox logged a double-double of her own and sophomore Kristi Rhead had a match-best 30 assists.
Zin was happy with the way the team handled the weekend and is confident that the team will continue to progress throughout the season.
“This weekend showed us the importance of preparedness and maintaining our health through the long road ahead of us,” Zin said. “We were up and down this weekend in terms of performance, but it’s going to come together. We saw flashes of fire and us striving for our best.”
The team is glad for the opportunity to take on tough teams like Emory University early in the season.
“We have competed against some of the highest ranked teams in D-III women’s volleyball,” Zin said. “There’s no reason for us not to be the best. We are striving to be our best every day.”
The volleyball team will return to action this Wednesday when they host Washington College.
This will be the first Centennial Conference game for the Blue Jays and will be a big milestone for the team’s bid to win their second straight Centennial Conference Championship.
“We have the heart and desire to improve,” Zin said. “As a senior, my classmates and I are on a mission. We have built the program, and we have fought to make this team culturally sound. Passion and playing for one another goes a long way, and that is special to this team”.
The game will be at 7 p.m. in the Robert H. Scott gymnasium.
a 25-22 third set victory. The fourth and final set was very close. Hopkins jumped to an 8-1 lead, but the Scots came back to tie the set at 11.
The score went back and forth for the rest of the match as each team capitalized on its opportunities. Hopkins managed to hold on to win the set 25-23, claiming the victory.
Wuerstle and sophomore Erica Johnston both logged double-doubles for the Lady Jays. Additionally, senior Carolyn Zin tallied 34 assists.
In the second match of the day Hopkins edged Piedmont International University in straight sets. The Blue Jays won 25-13, 25-15 and 25-17. Senior Ali Cox logged a double-double of her own and sophomore Kristi Rhead had a match-best 30 assists.
Zin was happy with the way the team handled the weekend and is confident that the team will continue to progress throughout the season.
“This weekend showed us the importance of preparedness and maintaining our health through the long road ahead of us,” Zin said. “We were up and down this weekend in terms of performance, but it’s going to come together. We saw flashes of fire and us striving for our best.”
The team is glad for the opportunity to take on tough teams like Emory University early in the season.
“We have competed against some of the highest ranked teams in D-III women’s volleyball,” Zin said. “There’s no reason for us not to be the best. We are striving to be our best every day.”
The volleyball team will return to action this Wednesday when they host Washington College.
This will be the first Centennial Conference game for the Blue Jays and will be a big milestone for the team’s bid to win their second straight Centennial Conference Championship.
“We have the heart and desire to improve,” Zin said. “As a senior, my classmates and I are on a mission. We have built the program, and we have fought to make this team culturally sound. Passion and playing for one another goes a long way, and that is special to this team”.
The game will be at 7 p.m. in the Robert H. Scott gymnasium.
