Shaky Spikers Suffer Fourth-Straight Fall

What a difference a year makes.

After posting its best-ever record (18-11) last year, the Harvard women's volleyball team has opened the season with four consecutive losses.

Loss number four came last night when the Crimson fell to Williams College in straight sets, 15-7, 15-11, 15-10, in Williamstown, Ma.

As in last weekend's matches against Holy Cross and Fordham, there were several impressive individual efforts. But once again, the squad failed to play together as a unit.

"We didn't play much as a team," said junior Lee Polikoff. "We have the skills; we need to pull together as one and start playing as one."

Carolyn Burger led the Crimson attack with several impressive spikes, although she had few opportunities to score kills. Senior Captain Maia Forman played extremely well despite an injured ankle. Freshmen Danielle Cunningham, Christina Smith and Mari Rodriguez continued to play well for Harvard.

The spikers realize they did not play up to their ability last night. The fact that they can recognize the problems and are determined to work on them is half the battle.

"I know we have a lot to work on," said Co-Captain Manda Schossberger. "We must go to practice with the attitude of everyone giving 100 percent. Then we have to transfer what we do in practice to the game."

Harvard looks to turn things around when it visits Lowell next week.