By Ed Morrone
In sports, many cynics warn against teams getting too hot too soon. After all, the fire has to be put out some time, right? Well, not all sports teams follow this pattern, and the Pride volleyball squad is ready to prove it.
On Tuesday night, the host Pride overwhelmed the Peahens of Saint Peter’s in a three-game sweep (30-17, 30-27, 30-16) en route to its fourth consecutive win. During this stretch, the team has been literally unbeatable. It has swept the last four opponents and have not lost a game in nearly two weeks, improving the overall record to 8-5 on the eve of conference play, which is set to begin next Wednesday night at the University of Delaware.
The Pride was led by sophomore Elizabeth Curley, who contributed 10 kills in only 14 attempts (a .714 hitting percentage) and also had team high three service aces. She was aided by junior Tessa Sphar (13 kills, five digs), senior Julie Tatar (11 kills, 11 digs), and freshman Shellane Ogoshi (40 assists, eight digs).
“Our team played great,” Pride coach Fran Kalafer said. “We beat a very good team, and I was really pleased with the way we finished the match.”
After a bit of a slow start in the first game, the Pride came together and closed the Peahens out with an 18-5 run that gave it a 30-17 win.
Game two was more hard fought; however, and Saint Peter’s led 24-22 in the latter stages of the game. However, the Pride persevered and triumphed in a 30-27 nail biter before easily completing the sweep in game three.
“I think we’re right on schedule,” said Kalafer, who earned career coaching victory number 578. “I’m just so pleased to see our team playing really, really well.” Kalafer also raved about some of her team’s individual performances.
“Our setter [Ogoshi] is doing so well and has stepped up big time,” Kalafer said. “She is huge on the court for us. Liz Curley was just unstoppable and Tessa Sphar was terrific.”
Saint Peter’s (1-7) just couldn’t keep up with the quicker, more energetic Pride. Sophomore Serra Soylu led the Peahens with 11 kills and 11 digs while freshman setter Valeria Kovaleva nearly notched a triple-double, tallying nine kills, 14 assists, and 11 digs.
The Pride will play one more nonconference game against St. John’s before beginning almost two straight months of matches against CAA rivals. Last season, the Pride posted an (8-6) conference record and advanced all the way to the CAA championship match before being defeated by George Mason.
“I’m confident that we have one of the best groups that we’ve had in years,” Kalafer said. “They’re a pleasure to work with and hard-working. We may not have a lot of individual standouts, but this is the essence of team sport. I feel really good about where we are right now.”
As Kalafer said, the Pride is taking it one match at a time and staying focused. With the way the team has played in the last two weeks, there are no signs of the Pride slowing down.
Elizabeth Curley has been a major factor in the Pride´ssuccess so far this year. The team has an 8-5 record. (Photo Courtesy Athletic Dept.)