The UMW women’s volleyball team earned a spot in the NCAA’s Division III Elite Eight after defeating Juniata College 3-1 on Sunday at the Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles will face Washington University on Thursday in UMW’s first appearance in national quarterfinals in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With the victory the Eagles improve to 31-3 for the season.
Freshman Savannah Powers, who scored a team-high 13 kills, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. For more about the game go to http://www.umweagles.com/sports/wvball/2016-17/releases/20161113pc4l29.
Eagles celebrate win over Juniata College.
Elated Eagles hoist regional trophy.
UMW women’s volleyball team advance to the Elite Eight.
I have watched this team play for the past two years and they get better and better with every game. This year they were simply amazing – unstoppable. Their level of play, when it’s “on” is ominous; a true force to reckon with. Having a setter like Emma Olson who can place the ball with such accuracy to teammates near or far – or when she surprises the other team with an unexpected flick of the ball over the net into the hole! FABULOUS!! Peyton Mackenzie and Leslie Walters getting it done consistently. Ryan Cho’s serves, digs, passes. She walked the team up the scoreboard multiple times with her serves. Savannah Powers, who dominates all over the court – she is a mighty, all-around force wherever she is. Her one-handed serve in the regional playoffs was a spectacle of power; nearly unreturnable!. And then there’s junior tri-captain Jenna Yost who throws her body down in an instant to save spikes and the impossible-to-reach balls as if personal injury or impossible-to-get-balls are not part of her vocabulary. It takes all of the girls on the team to make it where they’re headed. I am so excited to see this ‘little engine that could’ take it to the big dance and take the big dogs down, one point at a time. Best of Luck, Eagles! We’ll be watching you on the big screen in Fairfax. I hope you can hear me whistling, and my family pulling for you! Show ’em how it’s done!!!