When looking back on the 1993 Mary Washington College season, an historian might label this chapter 'The Year of the Road Warrior." Battling nagging injuries, while playing an extremely challenging tournament schedule, MWC finished 23-20 while reaching the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals.
The Eagles lost several away matches to eventual NCAA Tournament teams, while scoring impressive road victories over Averett, Kean and Gettysburg. They also captured their first MWC Invitational in the past decade, besting four quality teams in Greensboro College, Salisbury State, Chowan and Eastern Mennonite.
A trio of senior tri-captains were the glue on an otherwise youthful squad. Setter Jay Wilson (Edwardsville, VA) again posted outstanding numbers, leading the CAC in assists (9.5), while also leading the Eagles in kill percentage (.342). One of the greatest players in MWC history, the 5-3 Wilson became the first player in CAC history to be named First-Team All-Conference three straight years. She was also named First-Team All-South Region for the second time (also in '91). Often at the receiving end Outside hitter Sarah Burgess (left) with graduating tri-captain Jo Ondrush of the "kill combination" was middle hitter Maria Norford (Keswick, VA), who led MWC with 2.8 kills and 1.1 blocks per game. Norford, a Second-Team All-CAC selection, was a four-year starter and a standout all-around player. She finished seventh in the CAC in kills in '93. Classmate Jo Ondrush (Smithtown, NY) provided stability as a serving and defensive specialist. She contributed a team-high 2.2 digs and 0.6 service aces/game.
The team's lone junior, outside hitter Katie Eyster (Spring Grove, PA), joins several promising underclassmen to form a strong nucleus for 1994. Eyster finished second in kills in '93 (2.1/ game) while adding 1.8 digs per game. Soph Angie Long (Warrenton, VA) averaged 1.1 blocks (tied with Norford for teamhigh) and also 1.6 kills per game. Outside hitter Melissa Dowell (So.; Woodbridge, VA) suffered a late-season injury, but did average 0.5 aces, 1.8 digs and 0.6 blocks. The brightest spot in the freshman class was outside hitter Sarah Burgess (Hamilton, VA), who averaged 1.8 kills, 1.8 digs and 0.5 blocks while playing in all 43 matches. Julie Bartlett (Woodbridge, VA) averaged 1.6 digs and will likely see more action in '94.