Net gains and losses

volleyball2_thumb.jpg
volleyball1_thumb.jpg

The chants and cheers resonating from Ratner Athletics Center’s Competition Gymnasium this weekend signaled the start of the inaugural Gargoyle Classic volleyball tournament. The University of Chicago hosted Lake Forest College, North Park University, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Illinois College, University of Dubuque, Defiance College, Concordia University, and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges for two days of intense competition in the first four Maroon home games this season.

The Maroons (2-12) faced Concordia (3-2) and Wisconsin-Eau Claire (9-1) on Friday in front of about 50 cheering fans, some chanting “C-H-I-C-A-G-O” from the stands, and others donning T-shirts that read “Bleed Maroon.” Despite leading performances by the Maroons’ Diandra Bucciarelli, ’10, and Erin O’Neill, ’08, both Concordia and UW–Eau Claire defeated Chicago in three games.

Saturday morning was equally tough for the Maroons, who lost to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (5-3) after several close games. But Chicago turned matters around against its final opponent, defeating Illinois College in three games and snapping the Maroons’ seven-match losing streak. Middle hitter Koryn Kendall, ’08, marked a season high of 15 kills to lead the Maroons to a 1–3 record for the weekend.

With the Gargoyle Classic behind them, first-year players such as Bucciarelli said they had just one more challenge to take on: Orientation Week.

Hassan S. Ali, '07

Photos: First–year Diandra Bucciarelli takes to the air for a return shot against University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (top); The team celebrates after third-year Erin O'Neill (No. 8) scores a critical point (bottom).

September 19, 2006