Vball rides wave to Classic victory

This weekend a tidal wave hit the Palestra destroying three visiting collegiate volleyball teams. No wait, that was the Penn volleyball team riding a wave of success en route to three straight victories as the Quakers (5-2) won their own Quaker Classic. Captain Devon Austin and Sophomore Heather Glick led the unmerciful Penn attack as coach Margaret Feeney tactically unleashed as many as 11 players a game to wear down, overpower and defeat Canisius (three games to none), Boston College (3-1) and Navy (3-1). "We have a lot of depth," Feeney said. "We're real comfortable with moving our subs in and out. When the defense gets used to one player's style we can put in other people." During Friday's match against Canisius (2-9) the starters did not need much help as the Quakers won three straight games, 15-5, 15-1, 15-4. Glick, named to the all-tournament team along with Austin, picked apart the Golden Griffens, setting one flawless ball after another for Penn's outside hitters. Feeney was pleased with the win, but knew that Saturday's matches would not be such smooth sailing. "We need to play as confident tomorrow as we did tonight," Feeney said after the Canisius match. "The competition tomorrow will be better. [Boston College and Navy] are more athletic." The Quakers' first of two matches on Saturday was against Boston College. This figured to be Penn's toughest match of the weekend because the Eagles had beaten Navy 3-0 the night before. Game one went back and forth with the Quakers grabbing a 12-6 lead, then B.C. got within 14-12 before stopping its own momentum by serving out of bounds. The game then ended on what became an all too familiar scene for the Eagles. Penn gets the dig, Glick sets for Austin, Austin puts down the kill. Game two looked as if it would once again be a battle, but with the score tied at six Austin strung together eight-straight service points. Junior Karen Jones aided Austin's effort, coming up with three kills during the string, as the Quakers went on to win 15-6. In game three the tide turned. Boston College jumped to a 10-4 lead and had Penn on its heels. Feeney turned to the reserves for relief, bringing in sophomore Nida Germanas and freshman Alexis Usnick. Germanas immediately had several blocks and Usnick dominated at the net with multiple kills. The Quakers came all the way back and took a 15-14 advantage, but Penn could not hold on as the Eagles won 18-16. Boston College apparently used all its energy holding off the Quaker reserves, because in game four Penn coasted to a 15-5 victory. "We made a complete 180 [degree turnaround] from the first weekend," Glick said. "We stayed aggressive and stayed up after mistakes." After defeating the Eagles, Navy was all that stood between the Quakers and the trophy. After winning game one 15-12 and earning a 10-5 lead in game two it looked as if Penn would cruise, but the Midshipmen came back to win 17-15. That was enough of a wake-up call for the Quakers, who won games three and four by identical 15-10 scores. The 3-1 victory left Penn as undefeated tournament champions, as the Quakers won their Classic. "I got really psyched for this tournament," Austin said. "It's my senior we've never won since I've been here." The strength and depth of the bench definitely made the difference for the Quakers. Feeney masterfully used all her weapons, freely rotating 10 or more players in and out of every game. The strong setting and deceptive hitting of Glick earned her tournament MVP, but she knows that without the strong passing and digging of Ben-Horin, Rodriguez and Cit Kovic her efforts would have been in vain. Despite the pool of talent on the team Austin says that each player has learned to accept her role. "Everyone on our bench is really strong," Austin said. "It's all right when someone has an off game. We all work hard in practice and starters change week by week, but we're mature enough to share the time." If the Quakers can continue to play with the same confidence and excitement they had this weekend, Penn hopes to keep riding a wave of success.