Volleyball Breaks Out of Slump, Wins Four

After being somewhat derailed over the last eight games, the Oberlin women's volleyball team got back on track this past weekend in a tournament in Westminster, Pa. The Spikers continued their winning ways this week, beating Cuyahoga Community College Tuesday and Heidelberg Wednesday.

The Yeowomen split over the weekend, defeating West Liberty and Hiram, while falling to host Westminster and Alderson-Broaddus. This moved the Yeowomen's record to 6-11 on the season, which they then improved to 8-11 with this weeks' wins.

The first match of Saturday's 12-hour tournament was against host Westminster. Oberlin struggled from the beginning and Westminster quickly took the first game 15-4.

"The match against Westminster was early in the morning and we didn't quite look like we were awake yet,² Coach Leeza Ramsey said.

The Yeowomen gained a little more consciousness in games two and three but still fell to the tournament hosts in straight games, 15-9 and 15-11.

The numbers put up by the Yeowomen against Westminster attested to their sleepy state of mind. Being a team that prides themselves on their defense and relies on it for their offense, the Yeowomen did not put up the numbers they were looking for. As a team they totaled a mere 29 digs and 23 kills.

By the second match of the day, the Yeowomen were wide-awake and ready for action. They took on West Liberty College and defeated the Lady Hilltoppers in four matches: 15-10, 15-9, 7-15, and 16-14.

Unlike in the first match, Oberlin came out and dominated from the start against West Liberty.

"Our goal has been to get off to a quick start and we were able to do that here,² Ramsey said.

Junior Anna Ruth played a solid game for the Yeowomen. Ruth tallied 21 kills and 13 digs against West Liberty.

As a team, Oberlin posted impressive numbers compared to their totals in the Westminster game. The Yeowomen racked up 48 kills and 69 digs in the four game match. The team was also aided by the return of junior Alana Kenmore, who was injured in a practice a week before with an ankle injury.

"Having Alana back for the tournament paired with the win gave us the confidence we needed going into the Hiram match,² Ramsey said.

Coming off their first win in their last 10 attempts, the Yeowomen prepared to take on league rival Hiram in the third match of the day. Because it was a tournament, the match did not count towards league standings.

"This is the match that we all were looking forward too," Ruth said. "We were looking for redemption after our loss to them earlier in the season."

Redemption is what the Yeowomen found, as they soundly beat Hiram in four games; 15-9, 15-12, 9-15, 15-5.

"This was definitely the biggest matchup for us in this tournament," Ramsey said. "We knew we could beat them. It was just a matter of going out and doing it."

Oberlin hit the court running and never looked back.

Statistically for Oberlin, this was the best match they had all day. Offensively, the Yeowomen pounded out 69 kills, led by Ruth with 22 and Kenmore with 16. Sophomore Mariana Padias put up set after set ending the match with 38 assists. She had 39 in the first two matches combined.

The Yeowomen went ballistic on defense, piling up 86 digs as a team.

A few players had all around solid games for the Yeowomen against Hiram. First-year Adrienne Zoller compiled 10 kills and 14 digs in the match. Senior Sarah Breon, had 11 kills while digging 12 shots. Senior Carrie Carter added six kills and 14 digs for the Yeowomen in the win.

The final match of the day was against Alderson-Broaddus. The Yeowomen took A-B four games but fell in the end; 15-6, 15-9, 12-15, 15-10.

"We were just worn out by the time we played A-B," Padias said. "After playing 12 hours of volleyball, what do you expect, though?"

In the loss, the Yeowomen posted average numbers, driving home 41 kills and mustering up 67 digs. Ruth and Kenmore tallied 14 and nine kills respectively to lead the offensive attack. Padias contributed with 15 assists.

Defensively for the Yeowomen Kenmore totaled 20 digs and Carter had 14.

"The weekend was definitely what we needed," Ramsey said. "Having Alana back let us return to our normal lineup and get back on the right track."

Tuesday night was first-year and sophomore start night for the Yeowomen. Oberlin took on Cuyahoga Community College in Philips Gymnasium. After losing the first game, 9-15, Oberlin came out and took the next three 15-13, 15-4, 15-11 for the match. The win moved Oberlin to 7-11 on the season.

Cuyahoga proved themselves to be formidable opponents for the Yeowomen.

Tri-C came out strong in the first match and proved that just because they're a junior college they weren't scared of the Yeowomen. From the beginning Tri-C had the lead and never relinquished it.

In the second match, Tri-C and Oberlin battled for the lead. In the end, Oberlin prevailed 15-13, narrowly escaping Tri-C and evening the match at one game apiece.

Oberlin dominated the third game and took a two game lead in the match going into game four.

After a back and forth battle in game four, the Yeowomen rattled off six straight points for the win.

Yesterday, the Yeowomen looked for back to back wins when they took on visiting Heidelberg College.

Oberlin came out strong and took the match in three games; 15-13, 15-11, and 15-12.

"This is the best all-around match we have had all season," said Ramsey. "These last few games have given us the confidence boost we needed going into the league games coming this weekend."

Oberlin has now won four of their last six matches and their record on the season is 8-11.

The Yeowomen will take on league rivals Denison and Ohio Wesleyan in a three-way match this Saturday in Philips Gymnasium.