The Georgetown women’s volleyball team (2-0) opened up the season last Saturday with an important 3-2 win over George Mason (0-1 overall). The Hoyas won despite the absence of two of their injured captains. Senior outside hitter Ashley Lancaster will miss the entire season, while junior middle blocker Annie Connor is expected to return within a week.
Head Coach Li Liu called this particular game a test for her team because of the two absent starters along with it being the Hoyas’ first contest. Tension was evident as George Mason took advantage of the shorthanded Georgetown team and took the first set 25-30. Despite this early setback, Coach Liu rallied her team as they took the next two sets, 30-26 and 30-25.
“I told them not to be afraid of making errors,” Liu said. “Just loosen up and play.”
The team heeded that message. Three first years on the team came up big in their debut, shrugging off any jitters they had. Outside hitter Jessica Buffum impressed with her increased aggressiveness and comfort as the game went on. Buffum produced a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs. Her classmates, setter Caitlin Boland and middle blocker Katherine Niesen, also added impressive numbers. Boland led the Hoyas with 37 assists, while Niesen ended with seven blocks, five kills, and three digs.
George Mason won the fourth set 27-30, but Georgetown finished them off in the back-and-forth match, winning the last set 16-14.
Sophomore outside hitter Katie Nulty and sophomore setter Kate Fisher also performed well for this young Hoya team. Nulty produced 15 digs, and Fisher contributed 15 assists and a block. Junior right side hitter Jessica George added a team-high eight blocks in the victory.
Despite the injuries to the team, senior leadership definitely directed Georgetown down the stretch. Senior captain and outside hitter Rachel Nelson complemented Buffum’s double-double with one of her own, netting 17 kills and 15 digs. Senior opposite side hitter Jenny Weed finished a stellar performance with a career-high, 24 kills along with six digs and two blocks.
The Hoyas’ win is a sign of good things to come for the rest of the season. The team has shown great improvement from last year in their passing. Serving errors had also been a problem of particular concern among the squad. However, the Hoyas were able to hold their serving errors in single-digits with only nine. The team showed that disadvantages such as injuries, youth and early deficits could be overcome with a high determination they played with.
“From the beginning until the end they were fighting, and their spirit and energy level was really high,” Liu said. “They didn’t give up on anything.”
This team will continue to improve with time and practice as the injuries heal and the younger players develop. Hopefully, along with the improvements, the team’s fight will grow, leading to an exciting volleyball season.
The Hoyas attempt to continue the good start to their season in Blacksburg, VA this weekend at the Hokie Invite.
