By Bob Bonett
A long road trip behind them, the women’s volleyball team is finally ready to return to the friendly confines of Hempstead, N.Y.
However, expected to go through their back-to-back CAA road contests unscathed, Hofstra fell in UNC Wilmington last Friday before sweeping Georgia State two days later.
The Pride entered their second conference game with the Seahawks with sights set high, ranked in the preseason at the top of the CAA after taking home the 2006 CAA title. However, in surprising form, UNCW (7-11, 1-2) ended the Pride’s undefeated conference run after just one victory, handling Hofstra easily, three games to one.
“They put us in a fearful position because we’re not used to being in a tight match with a team like that,” Netherby-Sewell said. “so we got a little bit hesistant with our offense and our defense was picking everything up, so UNCW just took advantage of it.”
Falling behind early, two games to none, at the hands of some obscure statistics-including the Seahawks’ zero percent attack average in the first game-the Pride finally managed to take Game 3 of the contest before inevitably falling in four.
Shellane Ogoshi (16 digs and 12 assists) and Lauren Engle (12 kills) each put up strong statistics for Hofstra, but numerous team errors combined with a flawless UNCW performance doomed the Pride from the start.
“There were many lapses,” Netherby-Sewell said. “UNCW played the best I’ve ever seen them play and I give them a lot of credit for the win. My team, unfortunately, wasn’t ready and didn’t take it as seriously as they should have”
A chip on their shoulder, the Pride prepared for a prime conference match-up with CAA contender Georgia State on the road. The women needed a victory to avoid falling to 1-2 on the season in the conference.
However, the prospect of returning to the Physical Fitness Center on a two-game losing streak clearly was enough motivation for Hofstra as Talita Silva crowned off a balanced attack during the easy 3-0 sweep over the Panthers.
Coming into the GSU Sports Arena 4-0 all time against Georgia State, Netherby-Sewell’s women came out swinging, utilizing clutch play to win each game by two points in a 32-30, 32-30, 30-28 series win.
Engle again had a solid game, adding to her team-leading kills with 16 in the match-paired with 11 digs-while the rest of the usual Pride suspects all played at their top levels; Amanda Beyersdorff had 12 kills, Harmonie Calinda had back-to-back service aces in the second game, and Ogoshi, coined by Netherby-Sewell as the “quarterback of the team,” racked up an impressive 17 digs in the effort.
Now, with a nearly one-month long road trip behind them, the Pride load up for a home conference stretch that features games against George Mason, James Madison and, of course, the daunting Delaware Blue Hens, who have lost just twice during the year while tallying 18 victories.
“I think [Delaware] will look similar to last year, and they gave us a run for the money last year,” Netherby-Sewell said. “They’re comfortable with themselves, they know how to win; hopefully we’ll be the team to give them their first real challenge.”
The first team Hofstra will need to worry about is GMU. The Patriots, at an unspectacular 1-2 in the conference on the season, will enter Hempstead with the same mindset as UNC Wilmington; a heavy underdog that could gain the respect of the conference with a victory.
Following up the George Mason match on the schedule is a showdown with Dukes, a team that will undoubtedly contend for a conference crown. JMU is currently at 2-1 in the conference and 10-6 overall.
And, of course, although it is over a week away, the imminent showdown with Delaware inches closer. In what looks to be the game that pits the conference’s top two team against each other, Netherby-Sewell will be sure to prevent the women from overlooking their weekend contests in favor of the Blue Hens game.
“After the UNCW match, we’re taking everybody seriously,” Netherby said.
In between Sunday’s game with the Dukes and next Friday’s match-up with Delaware will be a road trip to Fairfield. Sticking out as an oddity in the middle of a conference stretch, Netherby-Sewell singled the match out as a way to break the bland run of practices with a tune-up against a non-conference opponent.
“It’s good to have matches that keep you focused on match play rather than practice,” Netherby-Sewell said, “so I thought it would get us a little tighter, because sometimes you need to tighten the bolts during the season.”
The Pride are now 9-7 on the season, including 2-1 in CAA play.
Senior Shellane Ogoshi smiles as Harmonie Calinda goes up for a kill in practice. The team will return home after a long road trip Friday against George Mason. (Stephen Cooney)