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By Jamie Frankel

The Oberlin College volleyball team’s season ended Tuesday when second-seeded Allegheny College eliminated the seventh-seeded Yeowomen from the first round of the NCAC tournament. Oberlin dropped three straight games to Allegheny as the Gators advanced to the semifinals.

The top eight teams from the nine-team conference qualify for the postseason, giving seventh-place Oberlin a chance to keep playing this season. The Yeowomen jumped two spots from their ninth-place finish last season.

Oberlin drew a tough opponent to open the tournament. Although the Yeowomen had a successful regular season, the Gators nearly tripled Oberlin’s win total with 28.

Going into the match, Oberlin would have to play their best game of the year to knock off the higher seed.

Although the team has struggled on the road, this victory could change the tone of the season. The team hoped their four-day rest would help keep them fresh against the Gators, who had played over the weekend.

As has occurred many times this season, however, Oberlin started off slow in the match, dropping the first game 30-16.

The second game, typically Oberlin’s strongest, was one of the Yeowomen’s best performances of the season. Oberlin could not quite capture a victory, losing a heartbreaker in game two 35-33.

Down two games to zero, Oberlin attempted to topple the host Gators one more time. Their efforts failed as Allegheny clinched a spot in the conference semifinals with a 30-23 victory for a 3-0 defeat of the Yeowomen.

While some might view a 10-21 record as poor, the eight-win improvement from last season to this season should not go unnoticed. Also, finishing ahead of two conference opponents and appearing in the conference championships was a great accomplishment for this year’s team.

Although the senior class will be missed next season, a youthful team will look forward to hitting the hardwood next fall.