The volleyball team finished their season two weeks ago, going out with two impressive wins. But it wasn't enough. The Jays were both surprised and disappointed to watch their season come to an end despite going out on a four-game winning streak.
The Lady Jays finished their season with a record of 14-12 overall, 6-4 in Centennial Conference play. Despite the winning record and their hot play at the end of the season, Hopkins finished in a three-way tie for fourth place.
The conference accepts five teams for the playoffs, but the Jays lost the tiebreaker, missing out on a potentially revitalizing postseason.
For many of the Blue Jays, but especially their four beloved seniors, the season ended prematurely and in a most bittersweet fashion.
Going out on a winning note, middle blocker Amy Green, outside hitter Laura Carrihill, outside hitter Adri Eisen and libero Lizzie Kay will be remembered as one of the most successful classes of all time, compiling a 80-38 record over their four years in the program and being responsible for the Blue Jays' 100th Centennial Conference win.
None of this was more evident than in their final home game last Wednesday night against McDaniel. Riding the emotion of senior night, the Jays collected a 3-1 win (30-15, 26-30, 30-20, 30-23).
"Our ability to handle our emotion was important," Head Coach Scott Pennewill said. "Our seniors did a great job of controlling their emotion, and making sure the team came out focused and executing our game plan."
Despite losing four seniors, the match against McDaniel should give Hopkins a lot of hope for next year. Junior outside hitter Natalia Fijalkowski, who struggled much of the year to harness her talent, capped off a very impressive second half of the year with a dominant performance. The outside hitter had 19 kills and 20 digs to lead Hopkins to the impressive victory.
"She ended the season playing with tremendous confidence," Pennewill said. "She has worked extremely hard in practice, and it has carried over into games."
"I've learned a lot this season," Fijalkowski said. "I realized it isn't all about hitting the ball hard. I can't think too much, and I know now it is important to just go out and play the game."
The Lady Jays surely gained experience and developed tremendous cohesion and teamwork as the season progressed. While the season began slowly, Hopkins sandwiched two tough tournaments at NYU and Gettysburg with a Maryland D-III State Championship before starting season play.
With early season Centennial Conference matches against four of the top five teams in the conference, Hopkins' grueling schedule turned out to be the team's biggest flaw.
After losing their opener against Gettysburg and winning three in a row, the Blue Jays faced what would be their season's downfall. Facing Franklin & Marshall, Haverford and Dickinson all in a row, the Jays went on a three-game skid. The loss against Haverford, although their last defeat of the season, was the most costly.
On an individual level, the Jays churned out great performances during the season. Kay finished her career by making the All-Centennial Conference second team, and sophomore setter Amanda Lewis finished with an honorable mention.
Kay, who is the all-time leader at Hopkins in digs, will be sorely missed next year. Having made the all-conference team three times while a Blue Jay, Kay will be tough to replace. The team will be hard-pressed to find somebody who will step up and play defense with the tenacity and desire that Kay has shown game-in and game-out.
Despite losing four seniors, the 2007 Jays are not without hope. Lewis continued to improve upon her sensational freshman year at setter.
While her stats remained impressive, it was her knowledge of the game and of the team concepts that impressed Pennewill throughout the season. As a senior, Fijalkowski will also be looked upon to be a leader and convert many of the assists that Lewis will pass her way. With some help from a solid recruiting class, next year's team can be a Centennial Conference force.
