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December 2008
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CAMPUS NEWS |
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As the American University Women’s Volleyball team gathered for the NCAA Selection Show this year, they were prepared to be sent anywhere but home. In the past, berths in the NCAA Tournament have meant trips to Lincoln, Neb., Raleigh-Durham and even Colorado Springs, Colo. That was until sophomore Angelina Waterman saw Washington, D.C. flash up on the screen, and started yelling for everyone else to take a look. It didn’t take long for the whole team catch on. “The whole room just exploded,” said senior Tessa Paganini of the moment AU learned it would host the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament. American submitted a bid earlier in the year to host the first round of the tournament, but had no idea that their wish had been granted. “We’ve gone all over the place for the past few years to play in this tournament” said Head Coach Barry Goldberg. “I think they (the NCAA) decided to recognize us for being there so many times.” The Eagles were already confident, coming of their eighth straight Patriot League Title and their tenth berth in the NCAA Tournament in the last 12 years. “It was pretty surreal because we all thought we’d played our last match at home,” said senior setter Christina Nash of the preparation for the week and the anticipation of the game. Buoyed by the recognition and home-court advantage, as well as their eighth straight Patriot League Title, the Eagles prepared to play a strong University of North Carolina squad. After a tough 25-16 first match, the Eagles showed they could play with UNC. Down 11-19, the Eagles rallied off a let serve by freshman Rebecca Heath, as senior Rubena Sukaj sent home her first kill of the five point run that would bring the Eagles within four points of the lady Tar Heels at 19-15. The Eagles would fall in the second set 25-17, but would regroup to play their best volleyball of the night in the third game. The Eagles matched UNC point for point out of the gate, going up 5-4 to start the match as the Bender Arena bleachers shook. The Eagles continued to pour it on, tying the game three times from two point deficits. But it was not to be, as UNC went up 19-15 and never looked back, taking the third game by a score of 25-17. The loss to UNC was the first time the Eagles had lost 3-0 to any opponent all season. “We made some big strides,” said Nash of the young team’s development throughout the season. For Paganini, the excitement was about the support for the team from the community. “It was about seeing not just what we put into the program but what everyone else put in too,” said the senior of the facilities staff who got Bender Arena ready for the game and the fans that came to watch. “I’m proud of them” said Goldberg of his team, especially his seniors. “The future’s still out there for all of them.” |
Eight-Time Patriot League Champs Host First Two Rounds of NCAA Tournament