Volleyball ends losing streaks with sweeps

The volleyball game ended last Friday night with the Rams making a clean sweep against James Madison University, defeating the Dukes for the first time since 1995.

“We’re back!” exclaimed Renata Salvatori (Londrina, Brazil), who contributed 14 kills for the Rams, who ended an 18-match losing streak to the Dukes.

The Rams (3-4 CAA, 9-8) ended a 12-match losing streak to George Mason University the following day with a 3-0 triumph.

“It was really great to beat this quality of a team,” head coach James Finley said after the game against the Dukes. “It was quite an accomplishment.”

Finley commended Griselle Lopez Pereira (Caguas, Puerto Rico), whose ball control and leadership greatly contributed to the first home-win for the Rams after three consecutive losses.

Highlights of the match included Elisa Kuehnel’s (Dresden, Germany) dive to save the ball in the first game, which the Rams won 30-27, and Lopez Pereira’s back flip attempt to retrieve a ball hit nearly five feet out of bounds.

“These girls play hard, man,” VCU student Mike Thomasen said.

The Rams led on the scoreboard for most of the second game. JMU took the lead for the first time 25-24, but Kuehnel blocked a spike and the Rams went on to take the game 30-26.

The first point of the third game went to JMU, but the Rams quickly took the lead.

Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja (Florianoplis, Brazil) registered several kills in the third game and the Rams went on to a 30-26 victory.

“That girl comes with the thunder,” said Thomas Izzo, a VCU senior.

Junior Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz.) scored the winning point, putting an end to JMU’s 17-match victory over the Rams.

“I think we are coming together as a team more,” Lopez Pereira said. “Our chemistry’s working.”

The Rams have made a turnaround under first-year coach James Finley, recording more victories this season than last year.

“I coach by building relationships,” Finley said.

Trust and bonding, he said, are qualities he values in athletes. The Rams displayed that against the Dukes.

“These girls put it into their hearts,” assistant coach Amanda Olivas added.

The Rams had support from fans and friends.

Janice Busic, an instructor of the Department of Math and Applied Mathematics, was there to support one of her students, Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil).

“She performs as well in the classroom as on the court,” Busic said. “She’s an excellent student.”

Meghan Boyle, a former VCU volleyball player, said, “(The Dukes) were our biggest rivals.”

She said she was extremely proud of the Rams for bringing the victory home.

The Rams brought home their second straight win with a 30-23, 30-25, 30-19 win against the Patriots on Sunday.

Setter Cat Juson (Long Beach, CA) said the Rams’ philosophy is to “just look forward to the next ball. Go for the next point.”

The Rams look forward to scoring the next point at Georgia State University Oct. 7.