Women's Volleyball: Rudnick shines in hot start

When the women’s volleyball team rolled over the competition in its first five Ivy League matches, it seemed poised to capture the Ivy League title without any resistance. The Tigers’ incredible resilience was put to the test early when they faced three five-set matches and two four-setters in their first five regular season contests, but they passed every test with flying colors.

However, the Tigers (13-12 overall, 8-6 Ivy League) were unable to sustain their early success. Columbia stopped Princeton’s momentum with a tough five-set victory in mid-October, and the Tigers never regained their early season form.

Princeton was still in a strong position to contend for the Ivy League title even after it briefly fell from the top spot. The Tigers' trials early in the season should have prepared them for the stretch run, but their second loss to Columbia opened the floodgates.

The Lions were the only team to sweep the season series against the Tigers, and their second win was a huge blow to Princeton’s confidence. The team seemed unable to recover from that second loss, following with four straight defeats to close the season.

That sequence left Princeton in a tie for third place with the Lions behind Yale and Penn, the Ivy League’s perennial powerhouses.

Coming into the year having graduated star outside hitter Sheena Donahue ’10, the Tigers' prospects did not seem strong. However, after an impressive start to the season, it looked like the young team had matured and was ready to take over.

In particular, the Tigers' sophomore class developed into a potent weapon during those games. With strong leadership from the upperclassmen and exceptional play from the second-years, the entire squad seemed to come together, and the Tigers’ intensity never wavered in spite of the adversity of consecutive extended games.

Eventually, though, either the fatigue or the challenge of the season eventually caught up to them, and the Tigers were unable to maintain their pace.

The Tigers will field a similar roster next year. The Tigers graduated three seniors this year, but most of the squad’s key players will be back to contend for the Ivy League title. In particular, all three of Princeton’s All-Ivy selections will return.

Junior middle blocker Cathryn Quinn, who made the first team, was particularly adept at side-out volleyball, where her blocking skills made her invaluable to the team, but her all-around talents made her indispensible.

Junior libero Hillary Ford, meanwhile, was given an honorable mention for her fantastic performances this year. In any other year, she likely would have been named to at least the second team, but she had to compete with two of the best liberos to have ever passed through their respective schools. Yale’s Kelly Ozurovich and Penn’s Madison Wojciechowski hold multiple school records, and with both set to graduate, Ford should dominate the position next year.

The star of the year was sophomore outside hitter Lydia Rudnick, one of only two unanimous selections to the first team. Her incredible performance this year was the driving force behind the Tigers' success.

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Though many of the players will remain, they will be lead by a new head coach in 2011. Jolie Ward, having accepted an offer from NYU just after the season ended, will be replaced by Sabrina King ’01, who has been a part of the Princeton volleyball for 11 of the past 14 years.

A former Ivy League Player of the Year, King has been part of many of the Tigers’ most successful seasons. Having worked under former head coach Glenn Nelson, the most victorious coach in Princeton’s history, she has the experience and the ability needed to succeed in her position. With her at the head and the majority of the Tigers’ squad returning, Princeton should be in a good position to make waves next season.