 |
| Raise High! |
VCU Tops GW in A10 Semis
Last year, I became a fan of George Washington Volleyball. This year, a fanatic. If there's a better spectator sport out there, I've yet to experience it. My season came to an end last night at Charles E. Smith Center with the GW Colonials' bittersweet loss to the VCU Rams in the A10 tournament semifinals. After a stellar first set (which included a set point for the home team) GW fell 3-0 (25-27, 19-25, 18-25.) VCU advances to the conference championship vs. #1 seed Duquesne, today at 1:00 PM. GW ends its season with a winning record (16-14) and bright hopes for the future.
The future looks bright indeed, especially with freshmen Emily Clemens and Chidima Osuchukwu on deck for three more years, and the return of A-10 All-Conference Second Team selection Kelsey Newman for next year's A10 champs (Yes, it's a prediction: Put it on the board!)
 |
| Landon Garvik (#4) is all smiles |
Sadly, last night's match was the final one for seniors Jamie Armstrong, Jessica Burr and Rachel Goss. The dynamic trio will be hard to replace; and sorely missed. Head coach Amanda Ault is likely already working on it, as I write. As for Ault, her third season was a banner one; and GW already appears to be part of the conference elite.
 |
| Amanda Ault leads GW to A10 semis in just her third season |
It looked as if GW's season wouldn't end last night, as the Colonials had a set point (24-23) after Clemens set up junior Gabrial Rushton for a kill. This, after sophomore Maddy Doyle served five straight winning points to tie the score at 19. VCU prevailed, then got hot at just the right times to close out the match in straight sets.
 |
| Soph Maddy Doyle (#16) led GW with 10 digs |
GW held A10 Player of the Year Romana Kriskova in check, limiting her to 11 points (9 kills.) Fellow sophomore Kalah Jones (13.5 points) and A10 Libero of the Year Amanda Love (game-high 23 digs) picked up the slack, especially Love - who seemed to get her hands on every shot that came her way. VCU will have their full roster back for next season, so expect this to become a heated rivalry.
 |
| VCU's Amanda Love led all players with 23 digs |
Other standouts from last night's game included Goss (9 kills, 6 digs) Clemens (game-high 32 assists, 9 digs) and Landon Garvik (8 kills.) Armstrong served a perfect 12-12, and chipped in with 3 digs.
 |
| Emily Clemens - GW's "Queen of Assists" |
 |
| Chidima Osuchukwu led GW with 10 kills and 11.5 points |
 |
| GW Colonial Brass |
Click here for last night's box score.
