Women’s volleyball ends weekend with two wins

The women’s volleyball team opened the 2007 season Friday, Aug. 31 with a win against the College of Wooster 3–1.

Since that first win, the Tartans struggled, losing their next six matches, before winning a pair of matches last Saturday, bringing their season record to 3–6.

The team’s first win against Wooster came at the Ohio Northern Tournament in Ada, Ohio. Senior Abbie Toney, sophomore Jessica Brackin, and junior Chisom Amaechi each had double digit kills with 12, 11, and 10, respectively. Brackin led the team with eight blocks.

Sophomore setter Samantha Carter collected 25 assists and nine digs, while first-year Cameron Griffin and sophomore Cara Fatigati also had nine digs each.

Despite the strong start, the Tartans fell in their next three matches of the tournament, losing to Hope College 2–3, Ohio Northern University 2–3, and Mount St. Joseph 1–3.

The Tartans’ match against host Ohio Northern was particularly close (30–23, 30–21, 33–35, 21–30, 15–7), as Carnegie Mellon forced the Polar Bears to a fifth game. Toney led the team again with 22 kills and one block. Amaechi, first-year Caroline Size, and Brackin each had eight kills. Carter added 33 assists to the Tartans’ total.

On Wednesday, the team’s bad luck continued as they fell to the St. Vincent College Bearcats in five games 2–3.

Despite the loss, sophomore Megan Killeen and Toney each recorded double digit kills, collecting 18 and 14 respectively. Carter again led the team with 50 assists, while Griffin led the team with 12 digs.

“We’ve taken a majority of the teams we’ve played to five games, which is evidence we have skills to hang with everyone,” Toney said.

Last weekend, the Tartans traveled to Wooster, Ohio to compete in the Wooster tournament. Carnegie Mellon got off to a rough start on Friday, losing to Mount Union College 1–3 and Muskingum College 1–3.

“On Friday we started a lineup where the oldest two people on the court were juniors, both who haven’t had court time until this year,” Toney said. “A young team harnesses a lot of nervousness which clouds the team’s potential.”

Carnegie Mellon regrouped Saturday to win its last two matches and finish the tournament 2–2. The two wins came against Westminster College (3–2) and Alma College (3–0).

Against Westminster, the Tartans tied the Titans at 1–1 and again at 2–2 to force a fifth game. Senior Kate Stepp (15), Amaechi (14), Size (14), Brackin (11), and Toney (10) all had double digit kills.

Carter had 67 assists, four service aces, three block assists, and 10 digs. Steep and Griffin also helped the Tartans defensively, collecting 14 digs apiece.

“Saturday we figured out a lot of kinks and were able to pull out two wins,” Toney said. “We still aren’t playing to our potential, but it’s still early in the season.”

The Tartans defeated Alma in three games (30–22, 30–24, and 30–17). Toney and Brackin each had nine kills, while Carter amassed 34 assists. Carter’s performance during the tournament earned her a spot on the All-Tournament team.

The Tartans’ volleyball home opener will take place Wednesday when they host Point Park University in Skibo Gym at 7 p.m.

“I expect to win [against Point Park], and hopefully [last] weekend will serve as a confidence booster for everyone and we can make it happen,” Toney said.