Volleyball digs down deep

The Oberlin women's volleyball team ended their season Oct. 28 with a heartbreaking loss to division rival Allegheny College.

The Yeowomen were plagued by the same mistakes that haunted them the entire season as they lost the best-out-of-five match 15-1, 15-11 and 15-11. The opening game woes that have plagued Oberlin all season returned with a vengeance as they made seven errors, balanced by only five kills in the game. In the last five matches, the Yeowomen were outscored by an average margin of 11.

But as they did all season, the team upped their intensity for the second game and made the match competitive. Still, the Yeowomen managed only seven kills, which paled in comparison to their eleven errors in their 15-11 loss.

A lot was said about the character of the team in the third game. Facing a 2-0 deficit in the last game of a 3-27 season, even the world's best athletes would find it difficult to summon the intensity to make a run at the third game. But Oberlin did just that as they hammered out seventeen kills, committed only five errors and pushed Allegheny to the brink.

Even though the women could not pull out the victory in the last game of the match and the season, they could take away from the contest. In the last two games they proved to themselves and to the conference that they could compete, and compete well, with top teams in the NCAC.

The loss was doubly painful for the Yeowomen as it ended both their season and the extraordinary career of senior Katie Ruth. Ruth's thunderous kills and net-rocking stuffs have been exciting NCAC crowds for the past four seasons and have netted her four consecutive All-Conference selections. The end of the 1998 season not only leaves the bitter taste of a dissappointing season, but it also leaves the Oberlin volleyball program wondering what its next season will hold.

Statistically, Ruth did not have the best season of her career, but she was often focused on by the opposing team. When looking at her team warm up, coach Suzanne Garland said, "Any coach with half a brain would double block her." And that is exactly what happened.

A residual result of Ruth's constant double-teaming is what gives the Yeowomen hope for 1999. As Ruth drew the defense, other members of the team began to step up and make big plays. These are the women who will have to carry the load next season.

With junior spark plug Jill Brockleman and Katie Ruth's younger sister first-year Anna Ruth, Oberlin has a derth of talented hitters. Also returning is first-year setter Alana Kenmore, a converted hitter.

Initially, Kenmore was not thrilled with the idea, but by season's end she had embraced the new responsibility and became very adept at setting up her teammates. By season's end she had amassed 269 assists, an average of almost 3 a game.

With a strong core of talent returning and the prospect of an excellent recruiting class, the coaching staff does not seem as worried as one would expect when losing a star like Ruth. She will be missed, but come next September, Philips may again be rockin' to the cheers of "Baby Ruth."

Sideout Yeowomen: Volleyball practices hard; comes up short in loss to Allegheny. (photo by Matt Maddy)