The Mary Washington College volleyball program has established a winning tradition and the 1983 edition simply followed the MWC Blue Tide formula for the team's sixth winning season in the past seven years. With strong home court play and season long improvement, the Tide team finished the season at 21-17.

That third consecutive winning season included a 7-3 home court record, 6-0 in non-tournament matches. In recent years, home court domination has become a regularity at MWC. With undefeated home seasons in 1980 and 1981, the Blue Tide has compiled a seven year record of 42-13 at home.

Entering the 1984 campaign, MWC will be riding a six game winning string in the 800 seat Goolrick Gym. With eight newcomers in 1983, "we were a young, inexperienced team," MWC Coach Connie Gallahan said. That lack of experience led to "our weakest link - tournament play." But in 1984, with 11 of 12 team members returning, "I expect us to pick up right where we left off. We were a very skilled team," Gallahan explained, "but we lacked the consistency of play that isthe secret to good volleyball. With the year's experience our new people gained, I expect that to be much improved in 1984."

Although the young 1983 squad struggled in tournament play (the team was 6-12 in five weekend tournaments), they held opponents at bay in dual matches with a 15-5 record. That lopsided winning record included ten wins in the final 11 dual matches. Though senior co-captain Kara Chaconas (Fairfax, VA) leaves the team after three varsity seasons, five starters and six talented reserves will return for the 1984 season. Heading the list of returners are setters freshman Beth Brown (Charlottesville, VA) and junior co-captain Paige Wohlgemuth (S. Setauket, NY).