Volleyball Goes Undefeated in First Three Games

The women’s volleyball team started their season strong this past week, notching three wins in their first three games.

The Firedogs opened their season with a 3-0 sweep against Smith College on Sept. 9, winning each set comfortably by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-9. They surpassed the Pioneers in every major statistical category, holding an advantage in kills by a margin of 38-22, assists by 29-17 and digs by 53-42. Leading the way for the Firedogs was Jamie Dailey ’22, who finished first among both teams in kills with 13 and digs with 14. Carly Cooper ’24 led the game in assists with 15, while Caroline Tilton ’23 registered a game-high five blocks. Tilton was behind only Sophie Launsbach ’22 in attack percentage, who logged nine kills and 9.5 points on a game-best .500 attack percentage.

The team picked up right where they left off over the weekend in the first game of a doubleheader at Western New England University against the Golden Bears. They swept the match in three straight sets, winning 25-18, 25-14 and 25-14. Tilton led the team in kills and blocks, recording 12 and four respectively, and Skyleur Savage ’22 led the game in digs with 22. Cooper once again sat atop the box score in assists, this time registering 16 while adding a team-high three service aces.

The Firedogs’ second game of that Saturday against Emerson College was far more suspenseful. Both teams traded wins throughout the match, and the Firedogs prevailed in five sets, winning 3-2 by scores of 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, 23-25 and 16-14 in a thrilling finale.

“We had to fight for every single point,” Jacqueline Kortekaas ’23 said, “but at the end of the day it was our energy that led us to win against Emerson.” Dailey led the way with a team-high 21 kills and 23 points, while Launsbach followed closely behind with 19 kills and 21 points. For the third straight match, Cooper led the team in assists, this time registering 31. Kortekaas added 22 assists, good for second on the team, and Savage recorded a team-high 22 digs.

Launsbach, one of the squad’s four seniors on the leadership team, was especially proud of the team’s camaraderie in the win. “Our team’s chemistry really shined through. We are so excited about how well we are playing early in the season and want to continue to improve as the season goes forward,” she said.

Tilton agreed, saying, “I’m super proud of how we played. Our game against Emerson was a long three-hour match, but we pushed through and came out with the win. It was a great start to the season, and I can’t wait for our upcoming games this weekend.”

The Firedogs hope to continue their unbeaten start next Friday, Sept. 17 at 8:00 p.m. in their home opener and first game in NESCAC play against Bates College.