There is no question why the VCU volleyball team was excited coming into this past weekend: they got to play in the friendly confines of the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
For the third year in a row, the Rams opened the year in the VCU Third Degree Sportswear Invitational.
“We love playing in front of our fans, and to win in front of our fans,” said senior Ivana Rich (Cumberland, Va./Cumberland).
With the momentum of playing in front of black-and-gold clad fans and great play from many contributors, the Rams went 4-0 on opening weekend.
The first day saw wins over Temple and St. Johns.
In the opener, the Rams rebounded from a 2-1 deficit to win in five sets. A roller-coaster fifth set saw nine ties and five lead changes before VCU was able to edge the Owls 15-12.
“Even when they would get into holes today, they would just trust each other and come back and played with just a lot of intensity,” Finley said.
Junior Mariel Frey (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) had a sensational game recording a team-high 17 kills and 17 digs. The team also got major contributions from Kelsie Clegg (Boise, Id./Boise Senior) and Rich, who each recorded 13 kills.
In the night cap the Rams recovered from a sloppy opening game to beat St. Johns, 3-1. The Red Storm was coming off an impressive season in 2008, where they finished 75th nationally with a 22-9 record.
The Rams dominated the Red Storm in the final three games, recording a .333 hitting percentage after tallying a -.057 in the first.
“They were able to really focus after that (first game) point. We talked about what we did wrong, what we know will make the correction for that and they just relaxed and did it,” coach Finley said.
The Rams took six of the final eight points in game three to win it 25-19, and take the match.
On Saturday the Rams repeated their stunning performance from day one. First they dispatched Wright State, 3-1.
Clegg was almost mistake-free in the match recording 16 kills and adding four blocks. The Rams also got major contributions from Rich, Frey and Courtney Hott (Fredericksburg/Courtland).
The Rams capped the weekend with an impressive 3-1 dumping of East Carolina. The Rams out-hit the Pirates .285 to .148, and held an 11-6 advantage on blocks.
Frey led the team once again with a team-high 13 kills.
The Rams leave Richmond 4-0 on the young season after a dominant tournament weekend. Junior Lenka Melicharkova (Zlin, Czech Rep./Arkansas-Little Rock), Clegg and Frey were named to the all-tournament team. Clegg was named the tournament MVP.
The Rams head to Charlottesville next weekend at the Jefferson Cup Tournament. They kick off with Campbell on Friday at 10:30 a.m.