The volleyball team only lost one set all weekend, defeating Thomas Moore College on Saturday and College of Mount Saint Joseph on Sunday to win the Mount Saint Joseph Charlie Wrublewski Tournament.
"We are really excited to have pulled away with a tournament championship this weekend as the competition was really good," senior Kelly Doyle said.
Doyle, along with fellow teammate sophomore Keely McGrath, made the all tournament team for their impressive play.
"I think we dominated on the court this weekend in all aspects of our game and I definitely could not have received the award without the team," said Doyle on receiving the honor.
McGrath won NCAC Player of the Week, and was also named to the all-tournament team. She finished the weekend with 73 digs, two set assists, and five service aces.
The girls accredit much of their success due to their work during the offseason.
"Our coaches put us through a tough preseason this year in order to prepare for our new schedule, so it is awesome to see the hard work paying off," Doyle said.
Outside hitter sophomore Sarah Burtenshaw even gained fifteen pounds in order to have a more important role with the team.
"Coach told me if you want to see the court, you need to get bigger," she explained.
This tournament victory gives the team momentum headed into the DePauw Invitational this weekend.
"We're very well prepared and I believe we're ready to show our potential," said first-year Madison McIntyre.
"Coming off of a great weekend last week has really helped boost our confidence," sophomore McGrath said. She also says that the team is excited to show people how hard they have worked in practice this week. The home fans have definitely motivated the team's recent success.
"It's definitely motivating when we have home court advantage and a cheering crowd on our side," Doyle said.
As the team prepares for the tournament, they are aware of Marietta College and Trine University, who they didn't get the chance to play last season.
"This week in practice, we will prepare for all of the teams we will face equally, but last year we did not get the chance to play Marietta or Trine, so I am looking forward to the new competition," Doyle said.
The team has also been practicing the mindset of playing their own game, no matter who the opponents might be.
"In the games coming up we need to make it more about us than the other team," Burtenshaw said. "We need to do the things we've been practicing and keep our defense where we know it can be."
The Tigers will play Marietta College and Olivet College on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., respectively. Two matches follow on Saturday. The team is scheduled to play Trine at 10:00 a.m. and Rose-Hulman at 2:00 p.m.
