NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – It has been a steep learning curve thus far this season for a young Westminster College women's volleyball team.
The Titans have taken the last three Presidents' Athletic Conference crowns; however they are off to an 0-2 start in early-season PAC play.
Westminster will visit St. Vincent College in Latrobe for a PAC match beginning at 1 p.m. today.
"While we do have 12 'first-years' on the team (10 'true' first-years and two transfers), I won't use that as an excuse," emphasized veteran Titans' taskmaster Tammy Swearingen. "Many are getting a great deal of experience," continued Swearingen, the all-time winningest coach in one sport in Westminster athletic annals. Swearingen, a 7-time PAC Coach of the Year, entered the season with a career won-lost record of 646-342 (.653).
This season's edition (2-15 overall) competed in the St. Vincent Bearcat Challenge, the University of Mount Union Invitational, and The College of Wooster Kilt Classic before commencing the dual-match campaign. There is not a senior listed on the roster, and only a quartet of juniors in Libero Malia Duffy (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny High), outside-hitters Macy Stoddard (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek High) and Lauren Lampus (Sarver, Pa./Freeport Area High), and setter Reanna Daniels (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory High).
"The team is relying on the experience of our juniors who have enjoyed success and two of three consecutive PAC championships," Swearingen explained. "Unfortunately, we lost a returnee with experience prior to the start of the season in Claire Tobin, and then just lost one of our top hitters and blockers in Ava Ferringer (Venus, Pa./Cranberry High) with a dislocated shoulder.
Ferringer, setter Alyjah McHugh (Nashua, N.H./Nashua North High), and middle-hitter Elise Jordan (Key Largo, Fla./Coral Shores High) are the lone sophomores on the squad.
The balance of this season is composed almost exclusively of PAC competition, and Swearingen said, "This team is working hard and I am seeing improvements by everyone. I really put them in the fire this first half of the season with a very competitive non-conference schedule. That strong competition has created some self-doubt that we need to overcome.
"Consistency has been an issue," Swearingen admitted, emphasizing, "but I am confident that the team can turn things around. It won't be easy – nothing worthwhile is.
"I am still excited about this team and can't wait for it to click. When this group puts it together, I am positive that they will make an impact," Swearingen concluded.
