If ever there were a time when a 1-1 weekend could come as a blessing for the Firedogs, that time is now. Although Coach Sue Everden’s squad dropped a disappointing home contest to Skidmore, they salvaged the weekend by winning their first NESCAC game against Trinity.
The Amherst team played host to the Bantams on Friday, Sept. 21, entering the matchup at 0-2 in league play. Meanwhile, Trinity had already beaten Tufts, who themselves had already topped the Jeffs by a 3-1 score. Undaunted, however, the Lady Jeffs jumped out to an early lead, taking the first set, 25-21.
When the Bantams dominated the second set, hitting at a .345 clip, the hometown team didn’t panic; instead, the Jeffs eked out the third set, 25-22, and proceeded to clinch the match by a convincing margin (25-18) in the final frame. As has been the case since the year began, the Firedogs’ first-years carried the team.
It was the familiar combination of Lizzie Ahern ’16 and her classmate Nicole Carter doing most of the damage: Ahern hit .441 and registered 18 kills, the most of any player on either side, while Carter also posted a match-high 35 assists. With the win, the ’Dogs avoided what would have been their first ever 0-3 start in conference action.
The Jeffs seemed poised to continue their winning ways the next day against the visiting Thoroughbreds, but it was not to be. Once again, Carter and Ahern did their part —Carter again led all scorers with 30 assists — as did Abigail Hunter ’13 and Lauren Antion ’15, who combined for 17 kills. From a team standpoint, however, the Skidmore offense, led by Aria Goodman’s impressive .600 mark, proved to be too powerful for the Jeffs.
In the sweep, the second set proved to be the dagger: the Thoroughbreds won 25-16, holding the Jeffs to a paltry .129 attack rate. The other two sets were closer, but Skidmore won each by the same score of 25-23. The setback, the Lady Jeffs’ first non-conference loss of the season, dropped the squad to 5-3 overall.
With their first NESCAC win out of the way but still looking to put together their first winning streak, the Jeffs will take on Hamilton on Saturday, Sept. 29. So far, the Continentals are a below-.500 team, but they did register a win against conference rival Bates earlier in the fall. The matchup with Hamilton is a virtual must-win if the Jeffs’ playoff aspirations are to remain alive.
Later that same day, the Jeffs will take on New Paltz (New Paltz, N.Y.), who are 11-3 on the season (they have played one NESCAC game against Hamilton, whom they swept). After that, the Jeffs will prepare to host a pair of NESCAC teams, Wesleyan and Conn. College.
