The Oberlin volleyball team kicked off its regular season on a low note on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at home against Wooster College, losing 3-0. After splitting a four-game tournament at Ohio Wesleyan in the beginning of September, the Yeowomen had some time to regroup before embarking on what is to be a grueling season, with the team playing 19 games from now until the end of October.

Wooster’s sweep of Oberlin does not reflect how well the Yeowomen played. In the first game, Oberlin was down by as much as eight points but rallied late to draw within three points, 25-28. The team continued the momentum, closing the deficit to one point, 28-29. Right when Oberlin could smell a comeback, Wooster scored the final point, winning 30-28.

The Yeowomen could not stop Wooster in the second game, as the opposing team won 30-13. Down 2-0, Oberlin stuck to its gameplan and gave the Fighting Scots a challenge in the final game, despite losing 30-23.

Despite the losing effort, junior Deysi Villarreal said that Oberlin played well and attacked Wooster’s so-called weak spots, but their opponent was just on top of their game. “We executed what we were suppose to do, but it just wasn’t enough. A Wooster player seemed to be anywhere we hit it.”

Villarreal felt there were definitely some positives that could be taken from the first league game, citing good team chemistry and certain players stepping up their game. “When we were playing as a team, we were looking really well. We were also proud of Caitlyn Donnelly and Alix Feeley, who were really big factors in the game.” Villarreal was impressed with how sophomore Donnelly and senior Feeley worked hard, going after every ball.

Although the scoreline was not the most ideal for the Yeowomen, Villarreal knows they have the potential to do well. She believes the defense is great, they just have to work on killing the ball. “We are a good team. We have confidence in our abilities. We just have to believe we can participate with any team. We need to hold ourselves to higher standards.”

The volleyball team, 2-3 this season and 0-1 in league, plays its next game against fellow league opponent, Allegheny, at home on Friday, Sept. 15. The games will come fast, with Oberlin playing five games in the next eight days. This is not a bad thing though, according to Villarreal, who wants to play as much as possible as it will help polish the team’s play.

“I can’t wait until Oberlin volleyball gets the jitters out and plays a disciplined game.”

—Photo by Brian Hodgkin
— Photo Editing by
Daniel Schloss