The Brandeis University volleyball squad wrapped up the University Athletic Association (UAA) regular season in Rochester, New York. After losing a pair of contests to sixth-ranked Emory University and the University of Rochester, both 3-0, the Brandeis women’s volleyball team is the eighth seed at November’s UAA tournament. Despite their standing in conference play, the Judges remain positive, committed and driven to attack the remainder of the 2022 season.
The Judges went head-to-head against Emory in the opening set, taking a late 16-15 lead over the Eagles. Arianna Jackson ’23 and Sydney Bent (GRAD) defended the net to tie things up, and Emory’s attack error on the following possession gave the Judges the lead. The Emory Eagles took a necessary timeout and gained unstoppable momentum, scoring 10 of the set’s final 13 points to secure the opening set, 25-19. The second set fell in the Eagles’ favor, as well. While the Judges were unable to force a fourth set, they rallied from an eight-point deficit off a 10-4 run and withstood multiple match points in the third set. Emory did eventually close out the third set 25-23, but the Judges fought hard. Service was a key factor in this matchup, as the Eagles dominated with 12 aces to the Judges’ three.
After falling to the Eagles, the Judges faced the University of Rochester Yellowjackets. U of R took an early 12-5 lead, but Brandeis found their legs and recovered by winning six-straight points to tighten the gap, 12-11. The Judges tied things up at 16 and the Yellowjackets scored three consecutive points to snap an 18-all tie. Both squads traded points, but the hosts took the opening set, 25-22. Motivated and determined, the Judges took an 8-6 advantage on a Bent kill. U of R retaliated by winning the next five points and never trailing again. Stephanie Borr ’22 helped the Judges establish an early 11-7 lead in the third on a service ace, but after seven ties and five lead changes, Rochester went up 24-22. Brandeis held off the first two match points and had a pair of set points of their own at 25-24 and 26-24. Unfortunately, the Yellowjackets scored the final three points to close out the game, 28-26. While Rochester did have a 10-8 advantage in aces, the Brandeis Judges owned the net with an 8-2 edge in blocks.
In both matches, Bent led the Judges in kills with 12 against Emory and 10 against Rochester; so far this season, Bent has double-digit kills in 10 matches, including the last four. Defensively, Bent totaled 11 digs against the Yellowjackets for her seventh double-double of the 2022 season. Ella Pereira ’24 led Brandeis in digs in both matches with nine against the Eagles and 13 against the Yellowjackets. Texas natives Rita Lai ’24 and Lara Verstovsek ’25 each had five kills against Emory and Lai added a team-high three block assists. Verstovsek tallied seven kills against Rochester, while Lai had five blocks, including one solo. Head Coach Alesia Bennett utilized a two-setter line-up. Rookie Julia Liang ’26 posted 14 assists and veteran Ines Grom-Mansencal ’24 added 11 against the Emory Eagles; the two recorded opposite totals against the University of Rochester Yellowjackets.
The Brandeis Judges return to non-conference action in Red Auerbach Arena on Thursday, Oct. 20, taking on the visiting Johnson and Wales University at 6 p.m. The Brandeis volleyball squad will look to increase their 9-12 non-conference record.
