Coming off a pair of successful seasons that saw the program finish near the top of conference standings and advance to the conference championship, the 2003 University of Mary Washington volleyball program began the year with lofty expectations. With the loss of just one senior from the 2002 squad that placed second in the Capital Athletic Conference standings, a solid group of returnees meshed successfully with several outstanding newcomers to lead the Eagles to a third place finish in the conference this fall, as two players were honored with allconference honors.
Led by All-CAC senior hitter Lauren Eigel and All-CAC freshman Kate Feldman, UMW raced to a 16-11 record. Eigel, along with classmates Beth Harker and Kristin Marion, finish their successful careers, and leave several starting positions up for grabs in 2004. Feldman, an outside hitter from Ellicott City, MD, leads a very talented group of returnees, including senior defensive specialist Jackie Durr, junior setters Sarah Blehm and Nicole Berry, and hitters Ashley Bull, Katie Baird, and Johanna Carpenter.
Feldman averaged 2.32 kills per game in 2003, and finished second on the squad with 4.23 digs per game. Durr, who served as the Eagles' libero in 2003, led the team with 4.79 digs per game. Her tenacity and spirit supercharged the Eagles attack in every match. Blehm carried the bulk of the load at setter for the Eagles this fall, as she led UMW with 8.33 assists per game. Berry, who played at setter in addition to using her fine serve in situational appearances, averaged 3.55 assists and 1.39 digs per appearance.
Rising sophomore Ashley Bull has perhaps as much potential as any of the Eagles, as showed flashes of brilliance in 2003, netting 1.33 kills and 0.96 blocks per game. Carpenter contributed mightily throughout the season, with 1.46 kills and 1.36 digs per game. Baird emerged toward the end of the season, showing all-around skills in 14 match appearances. Megan Linn and Megan Marchica also filled in throughout the season, and provided depth on the front line.
The Eagles opened the 2003 capaign with a pair of losses, but rebounded with consecutive victories against Ursinus College, Messiah College, and Johns Hopkins University. After completing their annual trip to the Gettysburg College Tournament, the Eagles avenged their season opening loss with a 3-1 victory at home against Bridgewater, and then won two notable matches, at Salisbury University and at home against Catholic University. The defeat of Salisbury was the Sea Gulls' lone conference loss of the regular season, and the win over Catholic broke the Cardinals' two-year unbeaten streak in the CAC.
A four-match win streak would begin at the Johns Hopkins University Tournament, including a pair of wins over Swarthmore College, followed by a pair of CAC wins against St. Mary's College of MD and Goucher College. Other highlights included a pair of wins on October II at Villa Julie College, a pair of 3-0 shutouts at home against Shenandoah and Hood College, and a pair of home match victories to close the regular season, over Marymount University and Washington College.