Hoya Staff Writer Friday, September 1, 2006
After the end of last season, new Head Coach Arlisa Hagan vaguely hinted at the new direction of the women’s volleyball team (1-2) saying that she planned to move the team “baby steps” ahead of where it was. Since the season began, the emergence of the five freshmen on the 13 player roster and sophomore outside hitter Jessica Buffum are giving a new meaning to what exactly she meant by “baby steps”. Last weekend the team played three matches at American University, losing to George Washington on Friday, and beating George Mason but losing to American on Saturday. All three contests were part of the D.C. Challenge tournament. “We did some really good things this weekend with the things I think are really important to win which are serving, passing and defense,” Hagan said. In the first match against the Colonials, the Hoyas were close at the outset; they lost 30-28 in the first game, and won 30-24 in the second. But, their momentum ran out in the third and fourth games, as Georgetown fell 30-17 and 30-27. At halftime Hagan decided to change the lineup on the floor, giving George Washington an opportunity to strike. “George Washington took advantage of that; they’re a very well coached team,” Hagan said. “But it got some players experience which we’re going to need at the end of this season because some young players are going to see significant playing time this season.” Baby steps indeed. Buffum is one of the young players sure to see plenty of time this season. Currently she leads the team in kills with 52, and has had 28 digs – good enough for third place on the team. Buffum had 117 kills last season, but is on pace for an astronomical 468 this season. Despite her breakout performance and nomination to the all-tournament team, it was her passing that most impressed Hagan. “What makes Jessica such an elite player is that she can pass extremely well,” Hagan said. “She can pass and terminate balls and that just really bodes well for our future.” In Hagan’s eyes, Buffum made a conscious effort to improve in the offseason and her rise could be seen in practice. “Jessica had a terrific spring with us and has been the standout player at practice,” she said. Against George ason on Saturday, Georgetown pulled out its first win of the season, 3-1. The Hoyas took the first game, 31-29, and lost the second, 24-30, before pulling out the final two, 30-15 and 30-27. Buffum led the way once again, tallying 15 kills, 11 digs, seven assists and two aces. Freshman outside hitter Kortney Robinson finished the game with 15 kills, one assist and an ace. Georgetown lost its final match of the tournament, 3-1 to American University, but several players marked up notable performances including junior setter Kate Fisher (24 assists) and junior outside hitter Katie Nulty (25 digs). “We did some really good things. We’re digging 18 balls a game and we’re averaging two aces a game. Those are some pretty good numbers this early in the season,” Hagan said. “Everybody’s disappointed that we went 1-2 but it just gives us more incentive to do better down the road.” The team travels to Charlottesville, Va. for its next set of matches against ACC power Virginia tonight at 7 p.m., and then faces Eastern Carolina and Wright State, a newcomer to the volleyball world, on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
