Confidence is growing and wins are beginning to pile up for the GW volleyball team, which swept host University of Maryland-Baltimore County Tuesday night. Led by Atlantic 10 Player of the Week , Jill Levey, the Colonials pounded the Retrievers 15-2, 15-10, 15-8 to win their 15th-straight game and fifth consecutive match. GW (5-0) improved its perfect record against UMBC to 11-0 all-time.
Once again, GW’s depth played a factor in the three-game victory as the Colonials had three players with double-digits in kills and six with 10 or more digs. Seniors Renee Arnold (13 kills, 10 digs) and Suzana Manole (11 kills, 19 digs) posted double-doubles for GW, while Levey contributed six kills, 14 digs and an impressive 42 assists. Sophomore Abby Ernst added a career-high nine kills in the victory.
The Colonials opened their first road contest of the season with a fury, demonstrating a consistent attack on UMBC. GW hit 24 kills and committed only four errors in 45 total attempts – good enough for a game-one attack percentage of .444. UMBC managed 16 kills in the first game, but could only win two points.
GW repeated its 24-kill attack in the second game and defeated the Retrievers 15-10. The Colonials committed a match-high 11 errors in the second game, but UMBC was unable to take advantage. The Retrievers hurt themselves in the final game committing seven errors, and fell to GW 15-8.
Victory has come easily for GW so far this season, but the Colonials will face their toughest opponent all season tomorrow night when the team battles No. 9-ranked University of Florida at the Golden Bear Volleyball Classic in Berkeley, Calif.
(Friday) is just going to be a great experience, Levey said.
Depending on the outcome of GW’s match with the Gators, the Colonials will face either the University of California or McNeese State later Friday night.