Volleyball advances season record to 17–14

Since winning 13 of 17 matches against opponents such as Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and Otterbein College, the Tartans have participated in four days of tournament play as well as a match against fellow Pennsylvania competitor, La Roche College. Against highly ranked opponents, the Tartans fought well but lost.
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the Tartans faced off against La Roche, overpowering the Redhawks in three straight games (30–17, 30–15, 30–20).

First-year outside hitter Caroline Size lead the charge, compiling 10 kills. Junior middle hitter Chisom Amaechi had seven kills, and senior middle hitter Abbie Toney had six. Sophomore setter Samantha Carter produced 37 assists throughout the match.

The Tartans went on to compete at the Juniata tournament that following weekend. At the tournament, the team struggled against nationally ranked opponents, including second-ranked Juniata University, seventh-ranked University of La Verne, and 11th-ranked Cal State East Bay.

On the first day of the tournament, Carnegie Mellon faced off against Juniata, and though the Tartans put up a fight, they fell in three straight games (16–30, 20–30, 22–30).
The Tartans followed up the loss with another loss, this time to Cal State. Though Carnegie Mellon picked up the victory in the first game 30–24, they fell in the next three games (30–18, 30–28, 31–29).

Carter put up 48 assists, while Amaechi, Toney, and sophomore middle hitter Jessica Brackin tallied 10, 12, and 13 kills, respectively.

In the third match of the tournament, the Tartans once again fell to a sweep by La Verne. La Verne defeated Carnegie Mellon by scores of 30–27, 30–18, and 30–19.
“We have a lot of work to do at practice this week,” Toney said. “We’ve fallen into a rut and can’t seem to figure out how to pull ourselves into the win column when we play good teams.”

The Tartans did not come away from the Juniata tournament empty-handed. In the last match, Carnegie Mellon defeated familiar rival Eastern College in three straight games (30–15, 30–13, 30–26). Carter distributed 32 assists throughout the match.

This past weekend, the Tartans participated in the Wittenberg tournament. Carnegie Mellon finished the weekend with a record of 1–1, bringing the season record to 17–14.
On Friday, the Tartans squared off against the University of Dallas, winning the match in three straight games (30–25, 30–15, and 30–19). Size (11), senior Katie Stepp (11) and Amaechi (10) all scored double digit kills. Carter tallied 38 assists on the day.

On Saturday, the Tartans faced fifth-ranked Carthage College. The Tartans could not take the match, as they fell in three straight games (30–21, 30–27, 30–19). For the defense, first-year Cameron Griffin produced 15 digs during the match.

“Carthage was decent, but by all means beatable, and we let them have too many runs,” Toney said.

The Tartans conclude their season this weekend at the University Athletic Association championship tournament in Rochester, N.Y.

“We are in a really good place for the UAAs,” Toney said. “If we can put away three matches in pool play versus Wash. U., Rochester, and Case, we will be playing for first place in the conference.”