The American University volleyball team (13-4, 8-0) continues to dominate the Patriot League with their recent victory against the Navy Midshipmen (7-9, 5-3) giving the team its third sweep of the season.
Senior opposite Carly Sciborski landed the first kill of the match for the Eagles. American and Navy kept it close in the first set, with the Eagles keeping a narrow lead until a failed challenge put Navy ahead. The atmosphere grew anticipatory as the Eagles and Midshipmen tied it up at 24-24. A crucial block by junior libero Bella Marrero kept American in the set.
Cheers erupted as the referee announced Navy’s service error challenge failed, and American locked down the first set 28-26 with a final kill by the one who got the first, Sciborski. As the team regrouped, the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees blared through the speakers, matching the Eagles’ sentiments after the hard-fought set.
In the second set, it was smooth serving for the Eagles. They quickly secured the lead and held it through the entire second set. A service ace by junior setter Deniz Dakak took the set with a solid 9-point lead, 25-16.
It was good vibes all around for the Eagles, who stepped on the court for the third set grinning, seemingly set for a sweep.
The Midshipmen wouldn’t go out without a fight and took the lead at the start of the third set. A solid block by sophomore outside hitter Sophie Dufour and junior middle blocker Elise Sterling put the Eagles back in front. The team dominated from there. A 4-point run, including two back-to-back aces by senior defensive specialist Olivia Miller, all but ensured victory.
A final block by two seniors, middle blocker Prinzez Zeck and Sciborski, secured the sweep with another large margin for a score of 25-15 in the third and final set. Both players were a highlight on the court; Zeck led in blocks with 4.0 and Sciborski led in hitting percentage with a season-high .667.
By the end, American had outhit Navy .336 to .131. The sweep set the mood high, and the Eagles were in high spirits coming off the court with all eyes ahead to achieve their next goal.
“Our goal is to win a national championship,” Dufour said. “It’s really good to get a sweep tonight.”
The sophomore outside hitter had an impressive 9 kills for the Eagles.
The team is united in their ambition for a national championship, with head coach Jenny Glenn reaffirming those goals.
“That’s our goal, and we’re going to work hard for that outcome,” Glenn said. “Every match has looked different, but we’re getting resilient and finding ways to win.”
The Eagles face the Colgate University Raiders (8-9, 3-5) on Oct. 17 at Colgate.
This article was edited by Matthias Jaylen, Jack Stashower and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing by Avery Grossman and Nicole Kariuki.
