With only one game left in a regular season that has had its fair share of ups and downs, the Stony Brook University volleyball team finds itself where it wants to be.

After winning only two of its first ten games, the squad reeled off eight straight wins in a hot streak that lasted from early September to early October. ‘A lot of it had to do with building team chemistry,’ said junior Ashley Headen (Alexandria, VA). ‘We had a relatively new team compared to last year, and we just had to build that trust and get used to each other on the court,’ she continued.

Now, its 5-4 conference record is good enough for a second place tie in the standings with the playoffs looming, which sheds light on the kind of year it has been for the America East as a whole. Half of the conference has lost more games than it has won, and the Albany Great Danes have distinguished themselves with an unblemished 9-0 record. The Great Danes visited Pritchard Gymnasium on Sunday and took three straight sets from the Seawolves in their home finale.

Despite the tough hit, Stony Brook still plans to come out of its corner swinging for the postseason. ‘Albany was a bad loss for us and a little setback, but we’re not worried going into the conference [championship],’ said Headen, ‘We’re really confident in our abilities.’

Last year’s squad fell short of the four-team championship tournament, after a 3-9 record placed it 6th in conference rankings. The squad went 12-18 overall and failed to pick up steam when it counted the most. This year, despite the slow start, the ladies have managed to be in the select field of four and be slightly above .500 with a 13-12 record.

After Saturday’s game against New Hampshire, the Seawolves will be in full postseason mode, traveling to Albany for the Conference tournament.

The ladies will take on the opponent, who is yet to be announced, on Nov. 20th.
‘