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BY GENEVRA PITTMAN

In print | Published November 4, 2004

The Swarthmore volleyball team finished its season at home last Saturday in a tough loss to Salisbury after a third-game comeback fell just shy. The Seagulls defeated Swarthmore 3-0 (30-20, 30-19, 34-32) in front of a large home crowd that included parents and faculty as well as many students. The match marked the last time the Garnet’s two seniors, Erica Newton ’05 and Natalie Dunphy ’05, will compete in a Swarthmore uniform, and both were honored by coach Harleigh Leach in a ceremony that involved the players and their parents prior to the game.

The ceremony added to the already high spirits of the players and fans, and the Garnet came out on the court excited to finish off its season — and for Newton and Dunphy, their Swarthmore careers —on a high note. Swarthmore came out strong, staying even with Salisbury for the opening of the first game, and midway through the score was tied at 15-15. But from there the Seagulls went on a five-point run, aided by Garnet errors, and forced Swarthmore to call a timeout at 20-15. It was a lead that Salisbury would never relinquish but continue to build on, as it closed out the game at 30-20.

In the second game, Salisbury made its key run early in the game, and Swarthmore never had an opportunity to lead. Serving while leading 5-3, the Seagulls pushed Swarthmore back on its heels and gained an 11-3 lead over the Garnet. Salisbury closed out with another run to win the game 30-19 and go up 2-0 in the match.

Despite the laxness that was shown in parts of the first two games, the Garnet proved it could turn on the afterburners when it was necessary. Early in the third game it appeared as if it would be a disappointing replica of the last game, as Salisbury opened up an early 8-3 lead that it built to 19-9. The Garnet comeback began with Emily Conlon ‘06 serving down 21-14. Conlon brought the team back to within 21-17, and the Garnet continued to claw away at the Seagulls’ lead behind solid blocking and strong attacks to tie the game at 29-29 on a block by Karen Berk ‘08. The game was tied on each of the next three points, as the Garnet earned points on kills by Berk and Katie Gold ’08 and an ace by Erica George ’07. But with Swarthmore serving in a tense 32-32 tie, Salisbury earned a sideout and won the next point to take the match, 34-32, and end the Garnet’s season with it.

“Salisbury made a lot of mistakes, and we in turn made a lot of mistakes,” Newton said. “We fell into a little bit of a slump.” Despite the loss, she enjoyed the experience of playing in her last match, with family and friends looking on. “It was a lot of fun and it was a great way to end the year,” she said.

George led the team with 10 kills and added 15 digs in the match. Patrice Berry ’06 had 15 digs as well, and Conlon recorded 22 assists for the Garnet.

All in all, it was a season of mixed success for the Garnet, who finished at 9-18 overall, but one that also makes Leach very hopeful for the future. “We had some really high goals, and we achieved some of them,” Leach said. “I think we set a really big standard for next year. The seniors have set a good example.” Next fall, Leach will be counting on the continued improvement of her underclassmen, including Gold and Berk, whom she especially praised for their play against Salisbury.

“I’m just really excited about next year,” Leach said. “We’re definitely going to be a force in the conference.”

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