This past weekend, the Blue Jays won four consecutive matches at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Invitational in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Even more impressively, the Jays only dropped one set all weekend.
“The team had great energy, unity, effort and competitive fire throughout all four games, which helped us close out tight sets against tough opponents,” starting freshman setter Natalie Aston said.
Hopkins started off the weekend with a 3-1 victory against host team and seventh-ranked UMW.
The Jays took the first two sets, winning 28-26 and 25-17.
Hopkins had a lot of offensive help from the newcomers on the team.
In her first collegiate season, Aston had a hitting percentage of 0.391 against the Eagles. The freshman also added nine digs during the match.
Freshman outside hitter Simone Bliss, also new to the team, led the team with 13 kills.
In the only set dropped by the Jays all weekend, the Eagles led by three points almost the entire time, winning 25-19. UMW’s outside hitter Peyton Dunow provided them with the boost they needed, tallying 12 kills. Nevertheless, Hopkins came back in the fourth and final set, winning in a close 25-23.
In their second game of the day, the Blue Jays handed the Averett University Cougars their first loss of the season.
The Jays claimed all three sets, winning the first 25-15 and finishing both the second and third in 25-22.
Aston credits the Jays’ strong showing over the weekend to their ability to adjust and control the pace of the game.
“I think our tough serving and strong out-of-system performance helped us take control of rallies and allowed us to play at our tempo,” she said.
Aston also addressed some of the team’s concerns.
“For now, our short-term goals are to create competitive and developmental practices, to place equal value on every game and to shoot for another strong showing in the Centennial Conference,” she said.
To start off the second day of the tournament, the Blue Jays won all three sets against the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets.
Senior outside hitter Elizabeth Wuerstle sparked the Blue Jays’ offense with five aces and six kills in the match.
The Yellow Jackets’ libero Samantha Sallade put the fight in Randolph-Macon’s effort with 15 digs.
However, an ace from the Blue Jays’ junior libero Esther Hong gave Hopkins the momentum and halted any chances of a Yellow Jacket comeback.
Hong finished the weekend with an impressive 52 digs.
Hopkins closed out the weekend with a three-set victory against the Berry College Vikings (25-18, 25-23, 25-21).
Though the Blue Jays got off to a quick lead in the first set, the Vikings closed the gap in the second, making it a two-point game with help from outside hitter Emily Hancock, who finished the match with 12 kills. Setter Hannah Kate Thompson also played strongly, ending the match with 19 assists and 12 digs.
The Jays won the set nonetheless, thanks to offensive boosts from Bliss and senior setter and middle Kristi Rhead.
Hopkins would also take the next two sets, with an ace from Aston to clinch the victory.
Despite going undefeated in the tournament, the Blue Jays still know there are areas where they can improve.
“While we were content with our performance this weekend, we can continue to raise the level of our practice competition so we are more prepared for game-like pressure situations,” Aston said. “I know we have immense potential looking forward to future Conference games and the NCAA Tournament.”
One of the Jays’ top performers on the weekend was outside hitter Louisa Kishton.
The sophomore finished the four-game sweep with a total of 58 digs and 45 kills. Other top performers included Wuerstle and Hong, who were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Aston attributes their success to a positive team culture, encouraged by the efforts of Head Coach Tim Cole.
“Our practice environment fosters love, growth and excellence, so we can always lift our team up more by being fully engaged in every opportunity we get to play,” she said. “I could not be more happy or grateful for my experience thus far on the volleyball team. Our team culture is unlike any other team I have been on before, which has made the transition into college much easier.”
With a few injured players, including junior middle Sasha Gorelik, sophomore middle Hannah Korslund and sophomore setter Sarah Elnozahy, the Jays have had to play with a younger lineup.
Still, the lack of experience has thus far not proven to be a problem for the Jays.
“The Hopkins volleyball family has fully embraced all five freshmen and quickly shown us how to adjust to college,” Aston said.
She emphasized that the upperclassmen on the team have been especially friendly as knowledgeable leaders and role models for the younger players.
“While it has been difficult missing classes for tournaments, I know I have a group that is here to support me whenever I need it,” Aston said.
Hopkins will look to continue their success into next weekend when they face the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Seahawks for their home opener in Goldfarb Gym on Friday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
