The Hopkins women’s volleyball team squared off against in-conference opponent Ursinus Bears at home on Saturday. The Blue Jays were able to take home an impressive 3-1 Centennial Conference victory, improving their record to 8-7 on the season and 4-1 in Conference.
During the initial set, Hopkins trailed 19-13, until slowly regaining the momentum and edging the Bears to a one-point deficit at 26-24. As the Jays were facing game point, they were able rail off three consecutive points and take the set 26-24.
“The key factor in the first set was tough serving. Our serves picked up intensity and we were able to take control of the game and make the opponents play to our pace,” sophomore Caitlin Callihan said.
Hopkins took a quick lead in the second set, resulting in a 19-9 lead. Even with the Ursinus comeback, the Jays were once again able to fend off their opponents, taking the set 25-18.
Trouble started for the Jays in the third set when the two teams were tied 13-13. Yet Ursinus was able to break the stalemate and take the set easily 25-19. However, Hopkins still remained in the lead 2-1.
The fourth set was also neck and neck, as it came to a tie at 16 each. Sophomore Carolyn Zin was able to swing the momentum in the Blue Jays’ favor, as she served two straight aces, giving her team an 18-16 lead. From there, Hopkins was able to take the match with a 25-22 victory, notching the teams fourth Centennial Conference victory on the season.
Hopkins was led by reigning Centennial Conference player of the week Callihan, who finished 18 kills and 10 digs on the day, scoring a double-double. A pair of juniors also pitched in: Megan Cohan had 10 kills, and Kim Bronson had eight kills and 12 attacks.
“All the teams in our conference are great competition. Each one will present different challenges, however we are most concerned with what happens on our side of the net,” Callihan said. “We want to treat every opponent and game the same. Our success will come from playing our best no matter who is on the other side of the court.”
The Blue Jays hope to keep the success going, as they have their eyes set on a repeat Conference Championship.
“We have to play Hopkins volleyball and bring our best selves to every practice and match in order to repeat as Centennial Conference champions,” Callihan said. “In addition to this, we have to have the confidence and mental toughness to overcome the challenges that we face. We have been getting better with every practice and we have really been working on our mental game. This will prove to be beneficial when we find ourselves in a high-pressure situation such as the conference tournament.”
Callihan commented on the team’s impressive leadership this season.
“The team has four great captains this year that have been working really hard to lead the team by example. In addition to our captains, the team itself has been doing a great job leading each other. Tim really advocates for self leadership and I have seen every girl step up and take on the role of “leader” on and off the court,” Callihan said.
Next up for the Blue Jays will be a long break, as they will face their next opponent, Haverford College, on Oct. 18.
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