Thursday night had all the makings of a blockbuster for the Fighting Scots Women's Volleyball team. With ringing of the ears serving as evidence of one of the most impressive playing environments in recent memory, Gordon survived an Endicott rally to take a spot in the Commonwealth Coast Conference finals with a five-set win.
 
The way the home crowds at volleyball matches have evolved aligns in the way the team has improved in such a short amount of time.
 
A year ago, Gordon struggled to make its first playoff appearance in five seasons, taking the sixth seed before bowing out in the opening round. This year the Scots took care of business against the teams directly ahead of them in the preseason poll and got a little help to claim a first-round bye, Gordon's first in over a decade.
 
Second-year head coach Sue Kelly's first full recruiting class has passed any expectations even the proudest of supporters could have imagined coming into the season. Four newcomers start on a nightly basis, including two freshmen and two junior transfers. Carleigh Petersen (North Hills, Calif.) led the CCC in kills in her first season in Wenham and rookie Mackenzie Hinds (Higganum, Conn.) was fourth. The Cooprider sisters have brought a stability to the Scots that has not been seen for quite some time.
 
Sprinkle in the stellar veteran play of Libero of the Year Maggie Risma (Hudson, Ohio) and middle Jenna Labbadia (Berlin, Conn.) and you have a team ready to reach for the stars.
 
Gordon has worn the badge of underappreciated since the very beginning. They challenged themselves with trips to Western New York and North Jersey, notching impressive wins over the likes of Montclair State, New Rochelle and Wheaton (Mass.). They even gave nationally ranked MIT a bit of a run for its money.
 
Still, it seemed as if the rest of the CCC underestimated a team just one game above .500 as it entered the conference schedule. After a disappointing result against Salve Regina, Gordon shocked UNE, Western New England and Endicott in succession to stake its claim as the conference's most improved unit.
 
Following a loss to Roger Williams, Gordon only lost one more time in 12 matches to close out the regular season. The hot streak put the Scots in good position entering the postseason.
 
The Endicott showdown loomed large after the Gulls dismantled the Nor'easters in the opening round. "Prior to the game, we knew it would be a tough match and would have had a much easier time against a different team," said Coach Kelly. "But we weren't about to shy away from playing Endicott either."
 
Gordon's regular season win over the Gulls proved to be no fluke and the Scots' quiet confidence from the first meeting gave them the resolve to push through tough points.
 
The crowd didn't hurt either.
 
"It was like having a seventh man on the court," says a smiling Kelly. "The fans have meant so much to what we have been able to do this year."
 
The top-seeded Hawks will have the home court advantage on Saturday afternoon, but maybe, the buzzing of the ears will stick around to remind the Scots of the support back home. Encouraging them to get over one last hump.
 
Roger Williams Players to Watch
 
Molly Quilty – The 6'4" freshman has had an obvious impact on the Roger Williams offense this fall. She won the CCC Rookie of the Year award and led the Hawks in kills with 208. Perhaps her most important contribution is on defense with 101 blocks, which put her among the elite players in Division III.
 
Nicole Weber – The setter made a CCC Second-Team appearance and averaged 8.26 assists per set this season.
 
Elizabeth Flaherty – A First-Team honoree and former Player of the Year, Flaherty was third on the team in kills despite missing nine matches.
 
Maria Batas – The libero was the third best in the conference for her position while averaging nearly five digs per set.  

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