The volleyball team’s quest to renew its title as Atlantic 10 champions ended Nov. 17, with a loss to Xavier in the semi-final match.
The team won its first match of the conference tournament by sweeping George Washington University 3-0. Second-seeded Xavier (23-8) used the momentum from wins in games three and four to defeat the third-seeded Billikens (23-7) in the fifth game 15-7.
“The difficult part is that we started off strong,” sophomore setter Whitney Roth said. “We won the first two games, and we played really well together. Unfortunately, we let down at that point, and we were not able to keep up the intensity; we let the final three games slip away to Xavier.”
Coach Anne Kordes said the game was an unfortunate loss, but she credits Xavier on its defense and ball control.
“This conference has taken a step up in the level of competition, and that is what we want,” Kordes said. “It’s always going to be a battle when the top four teams in the league step on the court.”
The two teams met twice previously during the regular season. The teams split the matchups, each team winning one match 3-0. Sophomore setter Sammi McCloud, who had a double-double with a match-high 21 kills and 14 digs, said the Billikens knew it would be a tough matchup.
“We knew that it would be a fight,” McCloud said. “We played our hardest for those first two games, and, unfortunately, they came out on top in the final three.”
Despite the disappointing end to the season, Roth believes that it taught the team a valuable lesson that it can take into next season.
“We learned that we need to stay strong even when we are winning the game and continue to play to the best of our ability,” Roth said. “Hopefully this difficulty will help us realize what needs to be done before next year.”
Heading into the tournament, the team had high expectations to claim the title for the second year in a row. Although the Billikens were expected to reach the finals against Dayton, Roth said that these high expectations ultimately helped them in the tournament.
“We are such a competitive group of girls,” Roth said. “Looking forward to the games to come and having such high expectations of the team only helps us to raise our level of play.”
McCloud, too, believes that high expectations on the team inspire it to play better.
“The loss was obviously a disappointment, but we need to keep raising expectations because that will only make us a better team,” McCloud said. “If anything, this loss makes our expectations for next season even higher.”
Roth and McCloud were recognized for their performances in the A-10 championship by being named to the All-Championship team, a recognition that both players earned last year as well.
“I look up to and respect Whitney Roth and Whitney Behrens,” McCloud said. “They are great players and really lead by example on the court. The three of us have become really close, and I look forward to having another great season with them and the rest of the team next year.”
Roth said that the team unity inspired her to play better this season.
“We all have our own roles on that court, and I think that everyone on the team plays those roles to the best of their ability,” Roth said. “They are truly a great set of players, but still, everyone comes together and creates a great team.”
