After the Stevenson Mustangs snapped the Blue Jays newly set team record for consecutive matches won at 16 last Tuesday, the Hopkins women’s volleyball team returned to action Thursday against Washington College.
The loss against Stevenson was the first of their season, resulting in some outside questions as to how the team would respond in their upcoming games. Freshman Jasmine Warmington commented on the loss, “We decided to try and work more as a unit, losing was a nice reality check for us. We needed to realize that we can’t get away with not playing our best against good teams like Stevenson.”
Fellow freshman Gabi Rothman added that the loss “definitely brought more energy and intensity.” The Blue Jays worked on being louder and communicating more on the court.
The hard work paid off as the Blue Jays responded to the adversity, easily putting away the Shorewomen in straight sets (25-11, 25-20, 25-18).
The Blue Jays matched a season-high 13 service aces to help extend their home winning streak to 20 consecutive matches and lead them to their 16th consecutive regular season conference victory. Jasmine Warmington continued her dominance, winning the battle against Washington College’s Kristin Lee. The two freshmen lead the Centennial Conference in kills, however Warmington came out on top, gathering 13 kills (.407) compared to Lee’s slim 7 kills and (.054) hitting percentage. The two young talents are sure to have their share of great matches over the coming years.
The Blue Jays combined for a .344 hitting percentage and used an 18-6 run to easily win the first set. The second and third sets required a bit more effort, but nonetheless, Hopkins emerged victorious in the second set 25-20 and the third set 24-18. Accumulating a match-high 19 assists along with three service aces was senior Becky Paynter. Leading Hopkins with nine digs was fellow senior, Amelia Thomas. Kate Liccione and Kristin Lee combined for 18 digs for Washington College (7-9, 2-1) while Lauren White had 18 assists for the Shorewomen.
On Saturday Swarthmore traveled to Goldfarb Gym to take on the Blue Jays. The Garnet knew they had a difficult task ahead, as Hopkins came into the match having beaten Swarthmore 18 consecutive times. Swarthmore entered the match with a measly .160 winning percentage against the Blue Jays, having last won in 1993.
Hopkins easily dominated the match with a season high .342 hitting percentage, defeating Swarthmore in straight sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-20). Senior Becky Paynter distributed a season-high 30 assists.
The Blue Jays comfortably won the first set posting a .371 hitting percentage.
Hopkins then used a 15-3 run to finish off the second set. Led by Jasmine Warmington, Caitlin Callihan, and Hayley Weidenbenner’s combined 36 kills, the Blue Jays were able to open up a 19-11 lead in the third set, to finish off the match 25-20. Hopkins’s Katie Schwarz also tallied a team-high 18 digs, as the Blue Jays limited Swarthmore (10-3, 2-2) to a .143 hitting percentage.
Yesterday, Hopkins (18-1, 3-0) winners of 17 consecutive conference games, traveled to Lancaster, Pa. to take on rival Franklin & Marshall. The Blue Jays ended up falling to Franklin & Marshall 3-1. Despite the loss, Hopkins will continue to build off of what they’ve been working on.
Warmington stated, “I’ve noticed we’ve been working better together since the loss and also have each others back more now.”
Rothman also emphasized the importance of sustaining energy and intensity throughout the match.
The two schools were the only remaining Centennial Conference teams with perfect conference records. The Diplomats headed into the matchup with a (9-10, 3-0) record. After thier win, Franklin & Marshall currently holds the series record 23-13. This key matchup was one of many as Hopkins continues on their pursuit of the Centennial Conference championship.
Warmington praised the upperclassmen remarking, “Our seniors are great! They are always there regardless of what the issue is. They are always there to bring us together and they always listen to our suggestions and issues off the court.”
The Blue Jays not only look poised to contend for the Centennial Conference title, but also make a run towards a NCAA national championship.
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