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Volume CXXXII, Number 8 |
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Vball finishes on a winning note in '02
JENN LARAIA
STAFF WRITER
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| The strength of the first year class , which includes the play of Jessica Schlobohm (pictured), has provided the volleyball program with a hopeful future. (Joe Blow, Bowdoin Orient) |
The Bowdoin Volleyball Team went out with a bang, capturing third place in the State Tournament last weekend. Ending the season with a 10-21 record, the Polar Bears improved on last year's 7-22 record.
The Polar Bears were 2-1 last weekend, a finish that placed them just behind Colby and the University of New England. After a rough start on Friday with a 3-2 loss to the University of New England, Bowdoin rallied on Saturday to defeat Unity 3-1, with game scores of 30-24, 30-24, 23-30, and 30-16. In the Consolation Final, the Polar Bears swept the University of Southern Maine, defeating their rivals 3-0: 30-16, 30-25, and 30-13.
In addition to the team's third-place honors, a few Polar Bears earned individual honors for their play during the season and in the tournament.
Jess Reuben '03 was named to the First Team All-State for Maine. Teammates Jess Schlobohm '06 and Bree Dallinga '06 were both named to the Second Team All-State for Maine, and also were named to the Second Team All-Tournament.
The Bowdoin team will sorely miss its three senior leaders next season. Jess Reuben, Mara Caruso, and Becca Geehr's leadership and playing abilities have helped the Polar Bears develop into a talented and competitive team.
Tri-captain Caruso leaves an encouraging message for the underclassmen: "This year's team was much stronger than last year's, and I feel like this trend will continue in years to come. As the five freshmen step up and gain experience and maturity, their leadership on the team will be a huge part of the team's success."
Coach Kellie Bearman, who has just finished her second year as Bowdoin's head coach, credited her players with setting the groundwork for a strong and competitive team.
Looking forward to 2003, she said, "Next year's core team is a group of winners and they, along with the recruits we bring in next year, are going to surprise people. We're not going to win the NESCAC Championship overnight. But, thankfully I did not recruit patient women. Their impatience will help make us contenders."