As fall term comes to an end, the Washington and Lee volleyball team celebrates the finale of a historic season.
The team hosted the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship against the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins on Nov. 16. After a narrow, opening-set loss, the Generals missed a serve, which led the Virginia Wesleyan bench to chant “free point” repeatedly.
The Generals volleyball team responded by handily winning the set and then ultimately the match. They were then named ODAC Champions and consequently earned a berth in the Division III tournament.
Before the postseason, the Generals boasted an impressive 31-5 record which included 21 wins in which they did not allow their opponent to win a set. Their marquee win came against an Emory team that was ranked fifth at the time, and their successful season earned them a top-ten DIII ranking.
After wins against John Jay College, Stevens and Christopher Newport University in the first three rounds of the tournament, the team earned a trip to Salem for their first ever NCAA quarterfinal appearance. They played No. 2 Hope College on Dec. 4, and the match aired on ESPN+.
Ahead of the match, Allison Young, ’28, said, “We’re really excited to play in this match and have complete confidence in our abilities as a team.” The Generals’ record this year has reflected this sentiment, and some players say their success comes from the team’s bond.
“We are good friends off the court,” said Stephanie Lynch, ’27. “Having only lost one senior and gained three freshmen, most of us have played with each other for a while. We know each other’s tendencies on the court, and we know how to play together.”
Grace Mitchener, ’27, said that team chemistry “has played a huge role” in their success. “We are all best friends so it makes our bus trips and journeys incredibly fun,” she said.
Despite the team’s confidence, chemistry and hard work, the season came to an end in a 0-3 loss to Hope in the Elite Eight.
Hope College went on to lose in the Final Four against No. 1 Juniata College in five sets.
The Generals are losing four seniors, including ODAC Player of the Year Allie Buchholz and star outside hitter Avery Myers.
But players know that this year’s squad has built the foundation of top team in Division III.
“This success has put our name on the map of programs to look out for in the future,” Mitchener said. “We are serious competitors and will continue to be.”
