By Erika Carrubba
James Madison lost its final two games of the season to give Northeastern an open door to the sixth and final playoff spot. All the Huskies had to do was beat the team with the best record in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), Hofstra, in the final regular season game.
Senior tri-captain Brandie Genibrel recorded 12 kills, senior tri-captain Larissa Adomat had a .258 attack percentage and senior tri-captain Lindsey Feller registered two blocks in their final game. However, they couldn’t pull their team through as they lost to Hofstra in four games, ending the 2005 volleyball season with an 11-16 record (8-10 CAA). “We played hard and we played for each other,” Feller said. “It just didn’t work out for us.”
Northeastern took game one 30-21 and looked to carry that momentum into game two. They took an early 16-10 lead, but let it slip away 30-26. In game three the Huskies again led late into the frame (24-23) but the Pride came from behind, again, to win 30-25. It was another close game as the Pride won game four 30-22.
“In the very first game we were pumped up from the ceremonies beforehand and then we went on a few runs and were very confident on the floor,” Adomat said. “But they also went on a few runs and the momentum just shifted for them.” Juniors Whitney Turner and Ashley Reeves had 14 and 13 kills respectively and sophomore Kira Batura recorded 30 kills for the third consecutive game. Genibrel added 20 digs.
“Like we’ve seen over and over again this season we play well but they recognize our game plan and then step up from the service line,” said coach Ken Nichols. “Hofstra did that and it helped their game plan. Whether we were up by 10 or down by 10 we were just trying to make the next point. In some way it is a microcosm for a life lesson.”
After a successful America East season last year the Huskies were expected to finish fourth in the CAA.
“Had we been healthy and able to develop chemistry we would be playing next week,” Nichols said. “If we played the way we played tonight the first time through conference we would have won those games. It all goes back to chemistry for us. We have only been in this rotation for five or six weeks. Other teams have been playing together for 10 or 12 weeks.”
Adomat finished the season with a .260 attack percentage to lead the team. She was named the America East Rookie of the Year in her freshman season. She will leave Northeastern with 1,267 kills and 377 blocks. Her .310 attack percentage is the best in school history.
“I will be back next year too. I won’t be in the court but I will be on the sidelines as an undergraduate coach,” Adomat said.
