To commemorate Homecoming weekend, women’s volleyball hosted the Albany Great Danes in the RAC on Friday, October 9. The UMBC Pep Band and Retriever fans brought the noise and atmosphere for a shocker in the RAC. The UMBC Women’s Volleyball team entered the match at 1-1 in American East play and had the opportunity to earn a positive record in Conference play, but a determined Albany side delayed the Retriever festivities.
The Retrievers showed grit to pull away a close 25-21 first set, but the Great Danes gave a sucker punch return with a 14-25 walloping second set, which was rife with Retriever errors.
After the first break, the Retrievers readjusted and came out of the locker room with a purpose. They took a 16-11 lead in the third set after a serious of vivacious kills from freshman Makenzie Morgan and Maddie Schnieder. The Great Danes fought hard to get back into the third set, but the Retrievers ultimately brushed Albany aside and came out of the set with another tight 25-23 secure.
However, the narrative again was following a close UMBC win, Albany dominates the following set. The fourth set was an equally blunder-filled affair by the Retrievers, ending 16-25 and making way for another climactic fifth set.
However, the faults did not end for the Retrievers going into the fifth, and the home side quickly found themselves in a 0-7 hole. It was only after a timeout, and some tactical adjustments by coach Ian Blanchford, that the Retrievers again found some foothold in momentum. They then turned the game around to take an 8-7 lead.
After some tenuous, close play past that point, Albany was forced to take their final timeout as the Retrievers leveled it at 12-12. Following the breather, the Great Danes swept the following points, winning the set and the match 12-15.
After beating Binghamton on Sunday, October 11, the UMBC women’s volleyball team sit at 8-10 on the season and are split 2-2 in Conference Play. They will try to break even and continue to earn momentum on Friday the 16 at New Hampshire.
