Only returning four players from last year’s Big East Tournament runner-up, the Georgetown Women’s Volleyball team opened up its season this past weekend in East Lansing, Mich. at the Coca-Cola/Michigan State University Volleyball Classic, going 1-2.
The tournament featured the No. 15-ranked Spartans as well as South Carolina University and Oakland University.
The Hoyas lost their first two matches to Michigan State and South Carolina by 3-0 scores before defeating Oakland by the same margin. Hoya senior captain Lauren Warner posted a match-best 17 kills in the Hoyas’ loss to MSU, another match-high 17 kills against South Carolina, added 10 more in the victory over Oakland and was selected to the All-Tournament team for her achievements.
While Georgetown led in the first game against MSU 10-7, the Spartans came back to score seven of the next nine points and took control of the match. MSU went on to win the second game decisively and then finished off the Hoyas with a victory in game three, winning 30-24, although the Hoyas battled back in the final game, scoring 15 of the last 24 points.
Among the Hoyas that also performed well over the weekend tournament were first-year outside hitters Natasha Nguyen and Rachel Nelson.
“We have newcomers that are doing really well,” said Head Coach Li Liu.
Nguyen and Nelson both earned starting positions for their efforts and showed great promise for the upcoming season. Nguyen lifted the Hoyas, collecting 11 kills, six digs and three assists. Nelson also helped the team with four kills, five digs and a block. Sophomore setter Jen Ward also aided the Hoyas with 26 assists and added three digs and two kills.
While the Hoyas went 1-2 over the weekend, they still have much to look forward to this year. One of the major returning bright spots for the team is sophomore middle blocker and last year’s Big East Freshman of the Year, Sara Albert.
“As a team we are making strides in the direction we want to go,” said Albert, who was selected to the Preseason All-Big East team. “We progressed towards running a more effective offense. A lot of progress can still be made.”
Georgetown’s biggest rival in the Big East this season will be Notre Dame. The Hoyas, who lost to the Irish 3-2 in last year’s Big East Championships, will play them at home this season on Saturday, Oct. 12.
“I think Notre Dame is always our biggest competition,” said Liu.
“Our main rival is Notre Dame,” agreed Albert. “Playing them at home is really exciting. Now we can get some redemption. Playing them [in the finals] last year was an awesome experience. We were the underdogs. This year we will have to play tough.”
The Hoyas will play this weekend in a tournament at the University of Virginia featuring the Cavaliers, William and Mary and College of Charleston.
Additional reporting by Matt Hopkins.
