The 200 1 season saw a veteran Eagle team that lost two players to graduation start strong and finish strong. MWC opened the season with victories over Villa Julie College and Lynchburg College, before splitting four matches at the always-tough Gettysburg College Tournament.
After over two weeks of inactivity following the tragic events of September 11, the Eagles returned to win three of four home marches, including wins over St. Mary's College and York College of PA. After tough conference losses at Gallaudet and Goucher, the Eagles rewarded Coach Conway with her 300th career victory in a 3-1 win over Marymount University in a league contest.
After splitting the final four regular season games, the Eagles entered the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament as the fifth seed. In the opening round, the Eagles visited fourth-seeded St., Mary's College, and defeated the Seahawks on the road in a classic five game battle. Two nights later, the Eagles faced top-seed Gallaudet University, and won another five game match to advance to the conference championship.
Just one victory from the NCAA Tournament, the Eagles fell at nationally-ranked Catholic in the league title match. If the 2002 edition of the MWC volleyball team is to equal the success of its predecessor, several newcomers will be needed to replace three quality graduating seniors. All-conference hitter Monica Bintz finished her career in 2001 as one of the top players in school history; ranking among the conference leaders in hitting, kills, blocks, and service aces, She also enjoyed recognition for her academics, being named to the Verrizon Academic All-America team after posting all-region honors for the third straight year.
Also gone are hitters Kathy Gochenour and Kristin Schaible. Gochenour had an outstanding senior season, with 141 kills, 145 digs, and 32 blocks. Her hitting down the stretch certainly contributed to MWC's run to the conference championship match. Schaible had two excellent seasons for the Eagles after transferring from Clemson, as she had 113 kills and a team-high 61 blocks in 2001.
Among the returnees who will look to fill the void are Sarah Libby, Lauren Eigel, Beth Harker, and Melissa Cortina. Libby again ranked among the CAC leaders in digs (3.59/game), kills (2.55/game), and service aces (team-high 43. Eigel scored 10.26 assists per game after moving to setter after her freshman season. Her versatility allows her to play mutliple positions in the Eagle attack. Harker emerged as a multi-talented player in 2001, with 39 kills, 25 aces, and 73 digs on the season. Cortina showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman in 2001, with 94 kills.
Other potential returnees include Nichole Bulls, Jackie Durr, Lindsey Christie, Stacey Standish, Lindsay Ollice, and Rachel Willemin. As always, newcomers (both freshman and transfers) will play vital roles in the MWC program. Coach Conway will continue to play the best players, regardless of class or experience. This opportunity gives newcomers the "chance to contribute immediately, and push the returners to raise their level of play, which lifts the entire team's work ethic and skill level. The TEAM concept is vety evident at Mary Washington, as evidenced by eleven of the team's 13·players competing in at least half of the team's 74 games this season.