With a win over the then 17th-ranked Juniata College Eagles this past weekend, the Hopkins women’s volleyball team broke the program record for the longest winning streak, which was set back in 2012.
The win was their 17th in a row, and with another win on Saturday against the Swarthmore College Garnet, the streak is alive at 18 consecutive wins.
In addition, the win over Swarthmore gave the Blue Jays a 17th consecutive Centennial Conference win, just one short of the program record set between October 2010 and October 2012.
In the record-setting victory, senior outside hitter Elizabeth Wuerstle led the team with 17 kills and contributed two aces.
Wuerstle currently leads the nation in aces per set with an average of 1.07. Wuerstle’s killer serve was at its best earlier in the season, when she tied the Hopkins single-game record with 13 aces in one match against the Muhlenberg College Mules. She has led the team in both kills and service aces in all her years as a Blue Jay.
After a stellar 2016 campaign, Wuerstle was named a member of the North All-Region team and was an honorable mention for the All-American team. Not to mention, Wuerstle was also honored as the Centennial Conference Player of the Year.
After the weekend’s games, Wuerstle discussed the team’s historic season with The News-Letter.
The News-Letter: The team now has the record for most consecutive wins in program history. What has been a key factor contributing to the team’s success so far this year?
Elizabeth Wuerstle: One thing this team does super well, which we have been building on since before my time here, is focusing on our growth more than our results.
I think we are stronger than ever in this category. This team has a great growth mindset, which we are still continuing to develop.
Our attention to improving our skills, mental toughness and leadership has really let us develop to a higher level. We are still looking to climb to the next level.
N-L: The game against Juniata was one of the biggest home games in the history of the program, with a fierce opponent and a program record on the line. How were you able to perform so well against them, despite all the pressure?
EW: We always focus on dialing in and playing our game, regardless of the opponent. It was great to get to play a match against a strong opponent at home on a Friday night.
There were so many external stimuli for that match, from the high-energy opponent to an awesome, roaring crowd. We improved significantly at taking in those stimuli and then letting them go and returning to our ideal performance state. It was a big day for our growth.
N-L: In addition to the historic program records the team has set, Hopkins is also ranked in the top-25 for the first time in program history.
What has it been like having so much success and breaking so many records?
EW: We do a solid job of not getting too caught up in the numbers and rankings. Of course it is exciting, but we all realize that this is a marathon and that we are in it for the long term. We are not finished yet.
N-L: How have you managed to improve as an individual player over the past four years to now lead the country in aces per set?
EW: We have the best coaching staff in the country, true experts in volleyball and team. I wholeheartedly trust their knowledge and experience. We have a top-notch strength and conditioning program that has really contributed to our development as overall athletes. For me personally, an increased commitment and an increased love of the game have played particularly big roles.
N-L: What are the team’s and your personal goals for the rest of the season?
EW: We plan to continue to pursue excellence in our process, commit even more and jump up to the next level in our game. We are working to bring more and more each day into the training gym, recognizing that there is no ceiling. This is a great team.
The volleyball team will look to continue their winning streak on Thursday, October 19 against the Stevenson University Mustangs. The Jays then look to tie the program record for longest winning streak in Conference on Saturday against the Ursinus College Bears.
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