Volleyball splits four matches at ASICS Invitational tourney

In a microcosm of the roller-coaster season the women's volleyball team has had so far, the Tigers went 2-2 in the 19th Annual ASICS Collegiate Volleyball Invitational this weekend, sandwiching two losses with victories to start and end the tournament. Although they came out with a .500 record, the Tigers believed that they played well below their ability.

Sophomore outside hitter Kellie Cramm, who was named to the all-tournament team, summed up the tournament well, saying, "We had moments of brilliance when they couldn't put the ball away on us, and other times when we looked like we had never played before."

Princeton came out strong, defeating Pace in three games. They dominated from the opening whistle and were happy to finally have captured an elusive three-game victory (30-25, 30-22, and 30-16) — their first of the season.

"It's frustrating going five games and losing to a team we can beat," freshman setter Sally Cade said. "We were glad to get this match over in three."

That frustrating feeling came back to haunt the Tigers in their next match against Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a match in which Princeton was heavily favored. After taking the first game, 30-21 the Tigers lost the next three, all in close contests — 30-25, 30-27, and 30-28.

"I think we were looking ahead, and we just weren't into it," Cade said. "That kind of loss is humbling."

In Juniata, a team that went to the semifinals in the Division III NCAA tournament last year, Princeton found an established defensive force. The Eagles overpowered the Tigers in the first two games of the match (30-18 and 30-14), but Princeton battled back, losing a close third game 35-33, which ended the match.

"That last game really showed how we could play," said Cramm. "We were leading the whole way. We just need to learn how to push through and finish off games."

"Earlier in the season, we played down to the level of some beatable teams, but against Juniata we showed that we could play up to a higher level, too," Cade said. "Even though the outcome [of the third game] was very disappointing, it was a very fun game."

The final match of the tournament for Princeton was against the College of Charleston. The Tigers won the match in four games, but were not satisfied with their level of play. Once again, they let the opponent jump out to a one-game lead (30-26) before capturing the victory by winning the next three games (30-13, 30-14, and 30-19).

"We weren't playing to our potential," Cade said. "We play a lot of six-on-six scrimmages in practice, so we know our ability level. It's frustrating when we don't get there."

Princeton's on-court chemistry has not been very sound since losing junior outside hitter Michelle Buffum to injury.

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"We don't know what our teammates are going to do, because we haven't had much of an opportunity to gel," Cade said. "We are a very young team, so this should get better as the year goes on."

The new scoring system has also taken its toll on the team, historically a side-out machine.

"We used to be known as a team that would side-out, side-out, side-out, but, with rally scoring, we can't do that any more," Cramm said. "We're hoping this weekend [when Ivy League play starts], it's all going to click."

Inconsistency, marked by constant line-up changes and a new scoring system, has thwarted the Tigers in this roller-coaster season. Next weekend, the Tigers open their Ivy League schedule at home against Penn. They will have to muster a better performance then, if they want to repeat as Ivy League Champions.