After winning what the team thought was its first conference game in over three years last week, the Oberlin volleyball team has hit a bump in the road. Three consecutive losses at home have dropped the team to 0-4 in conference as the Yeowomen look to bounce back this weekend.

The win that had the Yeowomen in an uproar thinking that they had broken a four-year duck of zero conference wins was reviewed after Kenyon, whom they beat 3-0 on September 18, folded its program. The consensus from the conference, at this point, is that the Yeowomen’s win will not count as a conference victory, but only an out-of-conference win.

Oberlin entertained Wittenberg University, the second-ranked team in Division III women’s volleyball, on September 21, followed by Earlham College on the 23rd and finally Wooster on September 26. All three games were conference games, with the Yeowomen looking to secure their first conference win, making headway in ultimately trying to qualify for the conference tournament.

With the 3-0 thwacking of Kenyon College still fresh in their minds, the Oberlin team went into the Wittenberg tie full of confidence. Victory at the expense of the immaculate Wittenberg Tigers (15-0), though, was a feat easier said than done.

It was obvious that Oberlin needed something special in order to emerge victorious. Oberlin started the match the sharper of the two teams, going out on an early run in the first game and going on to lead 14-13 by the midway point. It was all Wittenberg from there as the Tigers showed exactly why they were ranked so high, by going on an unstoppable rally to take the game 30-21.

In the second game, Oberlin put up a lackluster performance as the opposition breezed by to win 30-16. The Yeowomen came back to speed in the third game and put up a good fight. In the end, the favorites emerged victorious taking the third game 30-20 as they extended their spotless record to 16-0.

Next up, Oberlin welcomed Earlham College, hoping to return to good form after the loss to Wittenberg. The game kicked off at an intense pace with both teams hitting hard as each tried to gain momentum. The score remained close throughout the first game but the Earlham team was able to gain some control towards the end as it went on to win the first game 30-25.

In the next game, Earlham College picked up where they left off, dominating proceedings as they marched to a relatively easy 30-19 victory. Backed by the ever-present Oberlin fans, the Yeowomen took initiative in the third quarter and put a stop to Earlham’s dominance.

Led by senior captain Deysi Villarreal, who had 21 digs and 24 assists on the night, Oberlin launched a third game rampage as the team played its way to a 30-25 victory. The fourth game was a disappointing one for the Yeowomen as the visitors regained their edge and then went on to claim a 30-25 victory to take the match 3-1.

To close out the triad of home games, Oberlin faced the College of Wooster in a contest on Wednesday. Oberlin played well all around, keeping things close as it battled to take the lead against the visitors.

First-year Amanda Wysk continued her amazing season with another stellar performance as she raked in 19 kills and 20 digs on the night. Despite Wysk’s impressive showing and the persistence of the players, the Oberlin team was unable to claim the victory as Wooster won 3-1 — a game that could be described as a mirror of the contest against Earlham. Wooster took the first two games 30-18 and 30-17, and Oberlin responded with a 30-23 third period victory. The visitors then went on to win the match with a 30-21 fourth period win.

With these losses, Oberlin drops to a disappointing 3-10 for the season and 0-4 in conference play. The Yeowomen know they have the potential to do better and firstyear Melissa DeLombaert voices her belief that the team is still a work in progress, saying, “It’s a very young team, and we have a lot to learn from our coach and from each other. The good thing is we’re doing exactly that and I think we’re getting better.” Oberlin is in action at home against rivals Ohio Wesleyan University tonight. Despite dropping a few games, the Yeowomen are confident they can get back on track in the league.

“We can beat [Ohio Wesleyan]. As long as we fight hard and believe in ourselves we will win,” said DeLombaert.