Taking the team all the way to the top

The women's volleyball team has played very strong down the home stretch of the 2011 season. The progression of this season has been a learning experience for the entire team.

Only returning four starters, there were a lot of adjustments to be made, but now heading into the playoffs, they seem ready.

Not truly knowing what to expect with all of the new additions to the team, Baruch got off to a bit of a slow start.

The Bearcats faced off against rival Hunter early in the season and took a tough, but close loss.

"We were not in a good place mentally," said coach Allison Stack.

At this point, score was 4-4 and the team needed a way to turn it around.

"It took us a little longer to kind of connect than I thought it would," said junior middle back Lauren Hayden.

Since playing Hunter, Baruch has steam rolled through the CUNAC, not coming close to losing a set.

They have faced some stiff competition outside of the conference, which will better prepare them for the playoffs.

One part of the solution was turning this group of talented players into one team.

"We've really gotten better with team chemistry, because there was a lot of new players, especially starters," said Stack.

The second factor has been keeping the players healthy. Freshman and middle back Sara Stephani has been injured and will be needed if the team plans to compete with their strongest line-ups come playoffs.

"Keeping people healthy and being able to have a consistent starting line up has probably been the toughest thing this year," said Stack.

With only six more games left in the regular season, the Bearcats are preparing to win the championship game.

Stack believes her team is mentally prepared to win.

"We do have a seven game winning streak and we have been playing the best volleyball of the season," said sophomore and outside hitter Rebecca Peralta.

On this winning streak, the Bearcats have found themselves with a 17 – 8 record, and a 6-1 record in CUNYAC.

"Its obviously good momentum for the end of the season," said Stack.

Good play is contagious. Continuing to play at this level will have the team wanting to better as each game goes by.

Peralta believes that defense will ultimately take her team to the next level:

"I'm a firm believer that defense wins games," said Peralta. Thus Bearcats have been working on their defensive sets in games and in practice.

"Everyday in practice we try to focus on our weaknesses and try to improve on them," said Stack.

Junior setter and co-captain Melinda Santiago believes that this winning streak is preparing them for future match ups, and making them mentally stronger.

 "My ultimate goal is to win a championship, so that's what I'm focused on," she said.

Their next match will be against  Brooklyn college at 7:00 p.m. at the ARC arena at Baruch.