The Review

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports

Since 1998, the Delaware women's volleyball team has had five semifinal appearances in the America East and Colonial Athletic Association Tournaments, only one of which has resulted in a win. The only semifinal victory came in 2004 against Hofstra, but the championship hopes were abruptly halted when the Hens lost 3-0 in the championship match to a far superior Towson team.

Delaware has never gotten over the hump or been able to give fans the glorified trophy they seek. This year will be another season ending without the coveted CAA championship.

The volleyball team is like the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA -the Hens appear to have enough talent to win a championship each year but always fall short.

The No. 1 seed in the CAA thus far is William & Mary (11-9, 6-1 CAA). Delaware sits behind the Tribe at 5-2, tied for second place with Villanova. Delaware has already lost to William & Mary, proving it does not have what it takes to pull out a close win against a tough opponent.

The Hens already proved this year they do not have what it takes to put away one of the other conference powerhouses. Against Northeastern, the Hens went up 6-5 in the fifth set and gave up four-straight points to the Huskies, falling too far behind to come back. Delaware lost 2-3.

A similar situation occurred against William & Mary, as Delaware was up 7-3 in the fifth set and proceeded to lose 12 of 18 final points to lose the match, proving the Hens were unable to close out a big game.

The loss to William & Mary was a home match for the Hens, leaving a trip for Williamsburg to face the Tribe on Nov. 8. If Delaware loses twice to William & Mary, the Hens' mental stability will be shot going into the tournament and all roads lead through the No. 1 CAA team, which will be William & Mary. The fact that the No.1 seed gets to host the CAA Tournament cripples other teams - just ask Hofstra's opponents last year and Towson's opponents in 2004, as each of the teams won championships at home.

Of the eight major contributors for Delaware this season, five players saw major time last year and showed they could not handle the pressure of the tournament. Seniors Colleen Walsh and Megan Welch were also major contributors on the 2004 team that was swept in the CAA championship game. These players have proven history is bound to repeat itself.

After such a strong opening to the season, Delaware has faltered with two losses in three games. The Hens have shown they do not have the mental toughness to beat their toughest CAA opponents, losing in close games when they had a chance to put opponents away in the fifth set.

It will be surprising if the Hens do not make the playoffs but it will be even more shocking if this is finally the year they win a CAA championship.

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