Volleyball has the heart but lacks wins

Oberlin played host to both Marietta College and the College of Wooster on Saturday in what the Yeowomen hoped would be a chance at redemption. They had already lost to Marietta earlier in the week. Unfortunately, the squad fell in straight games to Marietta 15-4, 15-9, 15-8.

The Yeowomen put together a stronger effort but still fell short against the Wooster Fighting Scots, 15-12, 15-10, 15-13. Wooster would go on to defeat Marietta in four games later in the day, raising their overall record on the season to 6-11.

The team had another disheartening loss on Tuesday against the Ladies of Kenyon. Oberlin did provide strong competition for Kenyon and refused to go down without a hard fight. After losing the first game 15-8, the Yeowomen came back strong in the second, winning 15-5. Sophomore Anna Ruth's spikes baffled Kenyon and gained the Yeowomen most of their points in that game.

"When we got into a rhythm and were flowing together we played really well," said Ruth, "but we didn't keep it up." The Oberlin women managed some textbook volleys, and it seemed at times as if the ball were floating in the air. Team unity was also displayed in great plays by sophomores Carrie Carter and Alana Kenmore and junior Sarah Breon.

The third game of the match was extremely close throughout. Kenmore's spike to center court following a long, tense volley could have been a morale buster for Kenyon. But, with the score knotted at 9-9, the Ladies persevered, winning 15-10. The score on the fourth game was not available at press time, but Oberlin unfortunately lost.

On Wednesday, Oberlin traveled to Wooster with an eye on stopping their current slide. It was not to be as the women dropped three hard-fought games to Wooster.

Oberlin was on the defensive from the start. Wooster jumped out to leads of 8-1 and 10-2 before taking game one 15-5. They continued the attack early in the second game en route to a commanding 7-0 lead.

Oberlin struck back and clawed their way to a tie at 12 points apiece. The Scots respond with a rally of their own and won game two 15-13.

Oberlin put the pressure on in the third game, winning five of the first seven points. But the women of Wooster gathered themselves together and went on a 13-5 run to win the game 15-10 and clinch the match. The match marked Wooster's fourth win in a row.

The seasons of Oberlin and Wooster are about as opposite as you can get. Oberlin started off 4-2, winning one more game in the first two weeks than last year's squad managed all season. They then went into a 12 game nose-dive, culminating in Wednesday's loss to Wooster. Conversely, the Scots began the season 0-9. Since then, they have gone 6-2.

The one day break between Kenyon and Wooster didn't help the team, and the roster of nine players puts Oberlin at a stamina disadvantage against opponents. But neither they nor their fans have lost hope.

"We definitely could have beat Kenyon if we had played [throughout] the same way we did the second game," said Ruth. The Yeowomen's dedication, or potential for success, has never been called into question. Nor has the talent of players such as Kenmore, Ruth or first-year setter Mariana Padia. What is in question is just when, or if, the team will take everything at their disposal and turn their season around.

What has happened this season is ancient history to the women. The focus is on playing each match and each game to the best of their abilities. The squad may be down, but don't count them out. "I'm looking forward to the rematch with Kenyon," said Ruth.

Aim High: The Yeowomen go for the spike. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)