For only the second time in team history women’s volleyball qualified for the NCAA Regional tournament. As the seventh seed, the Chargers faced second seeded and 22 nd nationally ranked Rockhurst University in the opening round. Unfortunately, Hillsdale fell to the Hawks 3-0, losing 20-30, 24-30 and 22-30.
“Rockhurst is a good team,” Senior Sumer Way said. “When you continually dig yourself into a hole against a team like Rockhurst like we did, it makes it real[ly] hard on you to come back. It wasn’t the best game to end on, and I think we all know that we could have performed at a higher level, but there were glimpses of us at our best.”
The loss ended Hillsdale’s season, in which they finished with a 19-12 record overall and 12-7 GLIAC.
Leading the way for the Chargers were senior Sara Snavely and junior Becky Grzgorski, who both had nine kills. Snavely also added 10 digs.
Freshman Stephanie Booms posted a double-double, leading the team with 21 assists and adding 10 digs, while Way chipped in with 14.
Sophomore Megan Howard led the team with 14 digs.
Looking back on the season the team says they are proud of the way they played and what they were able to accomplish this year.
“Being able to make it to NCAA’s is quite a feat,” head coach Chris Gravel said. “Most teams aren’t able to go, and to be able to do it two years in a row is really an accomplishment for this team.”
“The season was fun,” Way said. “I’m so proud of my team and the way the girls committed to the season, the way they worked hard and really made the season and this team a priority. Overall it was another great Charger Volleyball season.”
Also highlighting the team’s season was the announcement of juniors Taryn Rudland and Katherine Jones, along with Booms, being named to All-GLIAC teams. Rudland was named First Team All-GLIAC, while Jones was named Second Team and Booms was given honorable mention.
“The girls who were honored with awards this year definitely deserved them, and so did a couple others who didn’t get recognized,” Way said. “Taryn [Rudland] and Kat [Jones] have both pushed themselves in practices, on and off the court mentally this season, and it’s great to see it pay off for them. Steph [Booms] has done a great job coming in as a freshman and doing what she’s done this season. It’s been fun to watch her develop and to play with her.”
Sadly, with the end of this season, as with every season, the team must say goodbye to its seniors. This year, the Chargers will lose their two senior co-captains, Way and Snavely. Thankfully, the team will not have to say goodbye to them immediately, as both will travel with the team to Brazil this summer.
“It’s always hard to say goodbye to the seniors,” Gravel said. “Luckily, we’re going to Brazil, so we won’t have to say goodbye yet. Both are not only great players, but great people. They have helped shape this team’s reputation to what it is now, and they will be missed.”
With the end of another season, it is time to begin looking at next season. Already Hillsdale has signed two talented prospects for next year and is looking to improve on what they were able to accomplish this year.
“There is no reason why we can’t do better next year,” Gravel said. “We have more experience at that level of play, which should greatly help us. We are just hoping to improve, which is what we are always looking to do.”