With a 26-7 record that included a 17-game winning streak, fans might have expected more than a third-place finish in the NCAC and a first round exit from the NCAA tournament from the volleyball team.
Having lost only two seniors from last year’s squad, underclassmen Katie Petrovich and Hannah Nelson have had a chance to gain valuable experience. Last year, the Tigers featured a lineup where nine of the 16 players were first-year students.
Despite their inexperience, the first-years played a big impact on the Tigers’ success last year, especially in games at home.
Opposing teams should fear whenever a trip to Greencastle is on their schedule. Last season the Tigers went 11-2 on their home court and that record included nine straight victories at Neal Fieldhouse during the year.
This might not apply in 2014, however, as the Tigers play only nine of their 33 home games at home.
The Tigers will open the 2014 season on Aug. 30 when they travel to Rome, Ga. to compete in the Berry College Invitational. DePauw will take on Agnes Scott College and Berry College on that opening day.