The Women's Volleyball team did not have to travel at all this week, playing all three of their matches at home. The Lady Jays pummeled Villa Julie on Wednesday and then played two matches as part of a tri-match against Swarthmore and Muhlenberg on Saturday, going 1-1 in that series. The three games were the first home games of the season for the Jays.
On Wednesday the Blue Jays played Villa Julie, beating them in three straight games. Hopkins was in total control of the match, and never let Villa Julie in any of the games. The game was quick and painless for the Jays, and featured several outstanding performances.
Senior outside hitter Emily Miller had a team-high 14 kills and nine digs, with junior middle Elisabeth Breese right behind with 13 kills. Freshman setter Betsy Baydala had 22 assists and seven aces to go along with her nine digs. The match was the 11th consecutive home win for Women's volleyball, dating back to 1999.
Against Swarthmore on Saturday, Hopkins played very strongly, winning their 12th straight match at home in three straight games. As usual, Miller and Baydala led the charge, with Miller totaling 11 kills and 17 digs, and Baydala adding 25 assists, 10 aces, 11 digs, and eight kills.
Hopkins' next match was against Muhlenberg, who beat the Jays in four games. The usual suspects on the Hopkins team were instrumental in the match: Miller totaled 17 kills and 16 digs, while Baydala totaled 29 assists, 14 digs and five aces. Freshmen right side Erin Trish, as well as freshmen defensive specialists Katie Davis and Cat Albright, also played very well, helping Hopkins stay in the match throughout.
"We could have beaten [Muhlenberg]," Albright said, "if we had played a little better."
Nevertheless, Hopkins improved to 8-9 on the season, and 1-1 in Centennial Conference play.
Hopkins had matches on Oct. 4th and Oct. 5th against Bryn Mawr and Haverford, respectively. The team also will travel to the Salisbury tournament to play this weekend.
