Anna Hartig
Staff Writer
The College of Wooster Women’s volleyball team traveled to Pittsburgh, Penn. to play four matches at the Carnegie Mellon University Doubletree Invitational over this past weekend. The Fighting Scots played tough competition against Messiah College, Otterbein University, Geneva College and the University of Mount Union in order to prepare for conference play. While the team went 1-3 in the Invitational, the Scots swept Geneva College and maintained a consistent defensive presence with 2.5 blocks per set.
Co-Captain Ksenia Klue ’18 said, “Up until conference play, all of our matches have prepared us both physically and mentally. Taking a set from undefeated teams, to playing four games in one weekend, to focused practices, we are ready for conference.” Throughout all the games this weekend, Klue led the way with 44 kills which averages to over three kills per set.
Ashley Plassard ’19 led the team with 22 blocks along with junior Marija Cyvas ’19, who totaled 11 blocks adding to the successful defense. Teammate Gab Basiniski ’19 tallied a match-high of 23 digs while Captain Taylor Mathews ’18 helped the Fighting Scots as part of her double-double effort of 30 assists. Overall, the team highlighted many of their strengths, which ranged from long rallies to unbelievable blocks and amazing digs.
Mathews said, “Playing four games in two days increases our stamina and helps us stay focused throughout a match.” The team is hoping to continue their hard work into the peak of their season when the North Coast Athletic Conference begins this upcoming Saturday against DePauw University.
During the matchup against Geneva College this past weekend, Wooster was a defensive force, the team earning double-digit digs with the help from first year Megan Botsch ’21. Plassard continued to add to the success of the Scots by earning six blocks in this match. Against Otterbein University, sophomore Kyana Harris ’20 played in the front of the net and tallied eight kills along with Plassard. The team continued to show off their defensive and attacking skills this weekend, which will enable them to continue their victories.
Klue said, “I believe the team dynamic this year focuses on heart and determination. We have some new key players, but the passion to win keeps us going.” Klue reiterated the strong team dynamic as she felt her teammates were ready to compete in conference. Both Klue and Mathews expressed the importance of including every aspect of the team in the Fighting Scots’ achievement.
“Wooster volleyball wouldn’t be the team it is without every player and every coach,” said Klue. “From the starters, to next players in, to those that bring the most energy, every win and loss on the team is together.”
With this mindset the team hopes to bring home their first conference win against DePauw University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30. While the team is traveling to DePauw this weekend, make sure to cheer on The College of Wooster Fighting Scots before they depart campus for their big matchup.
