Dorazio digs deep to end season on high note
Senior libero Jessica Dorazio was a defensive force for the Waynesburg University Volleyball team on Saturday, recording 41 digs in the team’s 3-0 sweep of the Thiel Tomcats to end the 2015 regular season.
For Dorazio and fellow seniors Meghan Balogh and Kourtney Skinner, it would be the last time they took the court as Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets.
“Knowing it was going to be my last game as a Jacket was bittersweet,” said Balogh. “I have been playing with some of these girls for four years, and it was sad knowing it was my last time to play with them, but on the other hand it was time to let go and let the future of Waynesburg volleyball take over.”
Also leaving the Jackets is Shannon Morgan, who will be heading to serve in America’s Navy next year, and Morgan Vescoe.
“[Shannon] Morgan was a huge contributor for us this year,” said Benkowski. “She made a huge swing in the right direction and has helped us tremendously. And Vescoe was also able to see the court and that was huge for her.”
Coming into the contest, Waynesburg and Thiel sat in the eighth and ninth spots of the conference, respectively. Both teams looking for a successful way to jump into the offseason.
For the Jackets, the success started early on as they jumped all over the Tomcats in the first set, winning it by the score of 25-19. It was the first time in the last four matches that Waynesburg was able to take the first set of a contest.
“It gives us a lot of confidence to take that first set,” said Skinner. “That game just felt different. We came out firing, and we knew we just had to keep doing what we were doing and stay focused.”
In the second set, Waynesburg led 20-16 late in the set, but Thiel came back to tie the score at 20. However, the Jackets were able to score 4 unanswered points at the end to take the set 25-21. In the third set, Waynesburg flexed its muscles and was able to get a 25-18 win to sweep the match.
“They never looked at one time that they weren’t going to win that match,” said head coach Stephanie Benkowski. “They played very well for the entire match, and that’s what we need to do.”
The sweep was the first for the Jackets since their Oct. 8 contest against the Chatham Cougars.
“It was a way for us to improve this year,” said Skinner. “It’s a big move for us this season compared to last season.”
The win ended the Jackets season with a record of 4-14 (4-26). The four conference wins obtained by the women were the most since they went 6-8 in conference back in the 2008 season. That year’s team went 11-20 overall.
With the end of the 2015 season also comes the end of the road for the senior class. Skinner, Balogh and Dorazio have each committed four years of hard work and dedication to the program, and their leadership will help build this team for the future.
“I cried at the end of the game because I was so happy,” said Skinner. “It was tears of joy, we did it and we won. I cried when it was 24-21 because I knew it was ours, it was done, and we ended in a sweep.”
Benkowski spoke highly of the players leaving the team and noted their contributions both on and off the court.
“Meghan, Jessica, and Kourtney have made a huge contribution to this team in their four years,” said Benkwoski. “They had the leadership role on the team, and they really showed the freshmen what needed to be done to win matches.”
Benkowski’s work is not done yet. She has plans in the offseason to help the team grow in every facet and help them reach the Presidents’ Athletic Conference playoffs.
“We need to work on everything,” said Benkowski. “We have to do a good job of recruiting and bringing in more kids who can play with who we have and be helpful to us.”
Waynesburg has a lot to build off coming into next season as they have 11 freshmen that will get to work through an offseason with the team and look to grow together.
“The underclassmen on the team are a great group of girls who act as family,” said Dorazio. “I believe they can do anything they set their minds to. If they are determined and show the heart they have the next few seasons will not disappoint.”