The Berry Invitational for the women’s volleyball team in Rome, Georgia, proved to be worth the long road trip.
Between sweeping the competition Sunday, taking down the second-ranked Emory University and having junior Faith Rowles take home the tournament MVP, the team is off to a strong start to 2014.
Starting on Saturday, the Tigers dominated Agnes Scott College 3-0 (25-5, 25-8, 25-13). Senior Mary Kate Etling had 10 of the teams 44 kills with Rowles assisting 31 of them. First-year Emily Beckes had four of the team’s nine service aces while junior Keely McGrath dug up 16 balls. First-year Elisabeth Wilson also contributed with three blocks.
In the Tigers second match on Saturday, the team took a 3-1 loss at the hands of host Berry College. After losing the first two sets, the Tigers rallied to win the third set. They then took the fourth to 25-25, but Berry closed out the set and the match, winning the final two points.
Etling again led the team in kills with 16 while Rowles had 38 assists. Once more, Wilson had three blocks, and McGrath and Beckes both had 12 digs apiece.
The Tigers started Sunday with a sweep once again, this time against Lynchburg College 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-18). Again, Etling led the team with 12 of 39 kills and Rowles assisted on 34 of them. Rowles also led the team with three aces, and McGrath had 14 digs.
Then the biggest test of the tournament—second ranked Emory.
“We went into it with the mindset that we weren’t leaving the gym without a W,” Rowles said.
In the first set, the Tigers trailed 24-22 but rallied for the win (28-26), setting the mood for the rest of the match.
“The energy on the court and from our sideline was amazing, and whether on or off the court, each person had a role and contributed positively,” Rowles said.
Though the Eagles snagged the second set, the Tigers finished strong and won the last two 25-13 and 25-22 to take the match.
“It was an unreal feeling beating Emory,” Rowles said about the win. “We wanted it so bad.”
The Tigers totaled 46 kills against Emory, led by Rowles with 11, while also assisting on 26 of them. Sophomore Rachel Lenderman had four of DePauw’s 11 aces, and McGrath dug up 28 balls. Wilson had a record seven saves.
Rowles was named the tournament MVP, and Etling was named to the all-tournament team.
About the tournament, Rowles said “I couldn't be happier with how my team did this weekend. My passers did an amazing job of keeping us in system, and their serve receive was spot on. My hitters mixed up their shots really well and knew when to be aggressive and when to terminate the ball. Overall, everyone played extremely well, and I can’t wait for our next tournament.”
“Our team motto this year is ‘limitless,’ and I honestly believe there is no limit on how successful we can be this season,” Rowles went on to say. “Ultimately, our goal is to make it to the national tournament again this season, so we are just going to continue working hard in practice and pushing each other to keep getting better.”
The Tigers are back in action on Sept. 5, when they face Spalding University in a match at Hanover College.