ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Brandeis volleyball team posted a 1-2
record this weekend at the first University Athletic Association
round robin of the season at the University of Rochester. The
Judges opened their conference slate with a 3-0 loss to
fifth-ranked Washington University on Saturday night. On Sunday
morning, they fell to Case Western Reserve, 3-1, before ending the
weekend with a 3-0 win over host Rochester. The Judges now stand at
11-7, 1-2 in the UAA
The Brandeis volleyball team dropped its 2009 UAA opener by
falling to fifth-ranked Washington University in straight sets. The
Judges pushed the Bears in the first set, 25-23, before falling in
the last two sets, 25-11 and 25-19. Against the Bears, Brandeis was
paced by junior setter Abby Blasco (Greeley,
Colo./Frontier Acad.), who just missed her ninth double-double of
the season with 23 assists and a team-high nine digs. More than a
third of her assists went to twin sister Paige,
who led the squad with eight kills. Paige also contributed four
digs and a block. Junior middle blocker Nicole
Smith (Marietta, Ga./Alan C. Pope) added seven kills and
three blocks.
Taking on Case Western Reserve, coached by Karen Chambers
Farrell '93, the Judges dropped the first set, 25-23, for the
second match in a row. They bounced back to win set two, 25-18, but
the Spartans rallied to take the last two sets, 25-18, 25-21. With
Paige Blasco struggling from the outside, senior right-side
Piera Carfagno (Los Angeles, Calif./Campbell Hall
School) stepped up with a season-high 18 kills and a .368 hitting
percentage (18 kills, 4 errors, 38 attempts). Smith recorded 11
kills and four blocks (one solo). Paige Blasco led the team with 17
digs, while Abby had 38 assists, nine digs, six kills and three
block assists.
The Judges rallied in their final match of the tournament to
defeat host Rochester in straight sets, 25-16, 25-22, 25-15. They
used a balanced attack to top the Yellowjackets, as Paige Blasco,
Carfagno and Smith all had six kills each. The Judges also had a
strong game at the net, matching a season-high with 12 kills. Smith
and rookie Becca Fischer (San Antonio,
Texas/Clark) registered six blocks each, with Fischer totaling two
solo blocks and Smith one. Abby Blasco had 24 assists, while senior
Bridget McAllister (Santa Clara,
Calif./Presentation) led the defensive effort with 10 digs.
Brandeis is next in action on on Oct. 10 when they host Coast
Guard and Keene State in a tri-match.
BRANDEIS-WASHINGTON
BOX SCORE
BRANDEIS-CASE
WESTERN RESERVE BOX SCORE
BRANDEIS-ROCHESTER
BOX SCORE
