By Jenny Curtiss ’20
Contributor
There is something different about this year’s Gordon College Women’s Volleyball Team. They are off to a hot start with their ‘17 season underway, and they give all credit in their motto this season: “To God Be The Glory.” The team chose this motto as a way to be different; that fans, competitors, spectators, and officials all notice a significant difference in the way they play the game. They have chosen to play with fire, with intensity, with endurance, and with each other, “united in Christ.”
Coach Kelly attributes the early success to the mission statement that the team made during their preseason which states, “As fearless sisters united in Christ, we fight to serve each other, make a difference, and compete to give God the glory.” The theme is consistent.
This year, the Scots returned only eight players and added six new freshmen to the mix. Although the team is relatively young, they have shown endurance, perseverance, and unity, while proving that they can compete among the top competitors.
The Scots have already topped the CCC rankings, demonstrating that they are serious contenders this year. Five players, in particular, are currently making some noise in the CCC leader boards.
Junior right side hitter, Jamie Tafoya, is 11th in kills, tied for 5th in aces in the CCC, and is climbing her way to the top.
Junior outside hitter and Captain, Mackenzie Hinds, is 5th in kills and 12th in aces. She is a crowd favorite with some huge kills, and is making her name known in the back-row, as well, tallying her fair share of digs.
Sophomore outside hitter, Amanda Snyder, is leading the conference in kills, and is 5th in aces. Snyder has already been named CCC Player of the Week twice. Snyder, like Hinds, is also a threat in the back-row.
Sophomore Libero, Jenny Curtiss, is leading the conference in digs, is second in digs/set, and has been named CCC Libero of the Week twice this year, making some impressive defensive saves for the Fighting Scots.
Finally, Freshman Setter, Ashlyn Gergins, is making waves in her debut-year. Gergins just set a Gordon College Record for “Most Assists in a 4-set Match” with 52 against Salve Regina on Wednesday night. She is leading the conference in assists and has been named CCC Rookie of the Week twice.
Of the team’s early individual victories, Coach Kelly says , “I can’t remember a time when we’ve had so many players at the top of the CCC awards this early on in the season, so it’s a pretty big deal”.
The team is off to a 9-5 start, and is currently on a 7-game winning streak, defeating Maine Maritime, Simmons, Curry, Bridgewater State, Wheaton, Salve Regina, and Suffolk in the past few weeks. On Wednesday night, the Scots downed Salve Regina in a tight, exciting 4-set match for the first time in Coach Kelly’s career. Kelly called it a “close match with both competitors playing well”. On Thursday night, the Scots pulled out yet another win against Suffolk, extending their win-streak to seven games.
The Scots look to continue their winning ways and upset the preseason-ranked #3 team in the CCC. The Scots keep making improvements, and this year, they hope to continue to impress and prove themselves throughout the season.
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