OC volleyball fights, but comeback falls short

The Oberlin women's volleyball team fell 3-1 last Tuesday in a best-of-five match with cross-state rival Marietta College.

A combination of fatigue, injuries and ill-timed service errors ruined an otherwise impressive performance by the Yeowomen. Their excellent team defense, errorless passing and powerful hitting bode well for the future of Oberlin volleyball. The team did not have the look of the 3-11 team they are, as they battled from deficits in both the second and third games.

The most glaring weakness in the Yeowomen attack was a lack of depth. The rotation consisted of only one regular sub, which led to tired play in the fourth and fifth games of the match.

The team is brimming with talent. With all-NCAC outside hitter senior Katie Ruth, outside hitter junior Jill Brockleman, and first-year starters Anna Ruth and Alana Kenmore, Oberlin volleyball has the ability to compete in any game on their schedule.

Against Marietta, the team's strengths shined, but it was their few shortcomings that gave the Lady Pioneers the match. In the first game, the Yeowomen had Marietta reeling as they managed to rebound from a 7-3 deficit to close the gap to 7-6. Katie Ruth put an exclamation mark on the comeback with a block followed by a devastating kill. The Marietta coach took a time-out, hoping to slow the momentum generated by Oberlin.

Her strategy proved sound. After the time-out, a service error by the Yeowomen stalled their comeback, allowing Marietta an opportunity to generate some momentum of their own. Oberlin eventually tired out and was unable to get back on track. Pioneer stand-out first-year Katy Gilliam then rattled off five straight service points to ice the first game for Marietta 15-6.

A lack of communication, much in evidence toward the end of the first game, continued in the beginning of the second game as Oberlin quickly fell to a 8-0 deficit. But the Yeowomen once again mounted an improbable comeback, and their efforts paid off. They picked up two straight points due to into-the-net infractions by Marietta.

The Marietta mistakes seemed to trigger something in the Yeowomen. Following what looked to be another costly service error, Katie Ruth stepped up her play and got two consecutive kills.

It was then that Brockleman began to make her presence felt. Two straight aces started a rally that brought the Yeowomen within one at 12-11. Dominant hitting from the Ruth sisters and Brockleman, complemented by the precise setting of Kenmore, were the story for the rest of the second game as the Yeowomen won 17-15.

The third game featured a moment that would prove to be a turning point in the season. With Oberlin up 1-0, Katie Ruth went down with an ankle injury. Both the team and the coaching staff looked worried as Ruth hobbled to the bench in tears. But after first-year Mai Lynn Grajewski replaced Ruth, the team went on a tear and played better than they had all match.

"Play for Katie," yelled a teammate as the Yeowoman took a 4-2 lead. When asked about the team's response, Anna Ruth said, "We wanted to give her a reason to come back." Coach Suzanne Garland noted the amazing mental strength the team showed in not being shaken by the loss of their longtime leader. This attitude was exemplified by 5'3" Brockleman. Brockleman exuded confidence as she continually took on much taller blockers with excellent results.

"Jill played awesome. She has got hops, she can do it all," Anna Ruth said.

The Yeowomen went on to lose the third game 15-10, as fatigue once again overcame the team. Marietta took the fourth game and the set for the victory. Even when exhausted the Yeowomen never stopped scrapping for every point they could get. Lack of depth and experience in the starting six spelled defeat for the Yeowomen.

This Saturday the team travels to Wittenberg to play University of the South.

Not so fast: Senior Katie Ruth vies for the ball at Tuesday's volleyball game. The team lost but fought hard. (photo by Cindy Meyers)