The Spire

Caitlin Wiffler ‘27

Sports Staff Writer

Exciting news for all fans of Holy Cross volleyball: the team is playing American University at the Hart Center Arena this Friday, September 22 for the Cousy Cup! While the team is currently 3-8, the Crusaders have been giving it their all. Here is a quick look at how the team has been doing throughout this current season. 

They started off the season on August 25 at the Florida Atlantic Invitational in Boca Raton, Florida. The first game was against Florida Atlantic University at 12 p.m.; the next was against Fairleigh Dickinson University at 4:30 p.m. In the first of the two games, the Crusaders were defeated 3-0 by the host FAU, but the team displayed their resilience throughout. Junior Abbie Lane and sophomore Rachel Johnson each had ten kills and got the team a pair of double-double performances. The Crusaders did not stay down for too long after the loss to FAU, as they won 3-1 against FDU.

To compare this with the team’s most recent game, they lost 0-3 against Lehigh University on Saturday, September 16 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Outside hitter Abbie Lane continued to impress with a game-best 15 kills and also had her 500th career dig. The Crusaders put up a good fight but were ultimately defeated as a result of Lehigh being able to close out each set. 

Now, as we approach the upcoming match in the Hart Center Arena, it is important to remember the Crusaders’ most recent home game: a stellar win against Merrimack on September 8. They beat the Warriors 3-1. After an intense first set that ended in Merrimack winning 30-28, Holy Cross swept with winning three sets back-to-back. Once again, outside hitter duo Abbie Lane and Rachel Johnson rocked the court. Johnson had a career-best 16 kills. Junior Sarah Stokes and sophomore Katie Russell also impressed with 20 assists each. 

In the Patriot League Preseason Poll, Holy Cross was picked to finish last. This season so far has been showing a promising turnaround for the Crusaders. Team Captain and junior Rian Millership believes that the team “has a fire and passion to play for one another.” She also said that the team has “found [ their ] own rhythm of support and competitive drive. Volleyball is a game of unity and we have proved the definition of united grit.”

“We have the mindset that every day we can get better in all ways, that we can work hard and continue to get better every practice,” said Millership. “We constantly strive to improve our individual skills and perfect our own jobs, so when we come together to play we are able to support the woman next to us while also pushing each other to the next level.”

After her strong start to the season, it is no surprise to hear that sophomore Rachel Johnson was named Hilton Garden Inn Crusader of the Week for the week of September 4-10. She currently ranks fourth in kills on the Patriot League leaderboards. Her energy on the court is definitely one to watch in-person!

The future of the team is looking very promising as four freshmen take the court this year, including Haley Gill, who is a defensive specialist as well as the team’s libero. In her first collegiate game, she recorded a team-high fifteen digs. She also recently set a career-high with eighteen digs against New Hampshire and Harvard. Watch out for number five on the court this Friday!

Looking ahead to Friday’s game, Holy Cross certainly has their work out for them. American University currently holds a 6-4 record, so the odds are definitely in favor of the Eagles. On the Patriot League leaderboards, an American University player ranks second in kills and points, another ranks first in assists, and one Eagle ranks third in blocks. One player for American University, Zeynep Uzen, was awarded 2023 Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year. It will be an intense game for Holy Cross, but that only means it will be good competition and an exciting game. There is no doubt that a lively crowd at this game will fuel this team. 

Catch the Crusaders in action this Friday, September 22 at 6 p.m. at the Hart Center Arena as they take on American University!