The Judges hosted a three-team tournament this weekend, competing against the Emmanuel College Saints and the Colby-Sawyer College Chargers. The Judges failed to pick up a win, falling to 6-8 on the season, having beaten Wheaton College 3-1 earlier in the season.

The Judges' first match went to four sets. Brandeis lost the first two sets 25-20, and 25-19, respectively. However, the hosts rebounded in the third set with a 25-13 win, adding 14 kills and a sense of momentum going into the final set.

However, the Judges could not claw back to tie the Saints. Emmanuel won the set by 25-14 and sealed the match.

In their second match, the Judges lost in straight sets to the Chargers. The Judges surrendered the first set by a 25-18 score. In the second set, both squads went back and forth but the Chargers were able to scratch out a 25-23 win before wrapping up the victory with a 25-16 triumph in the third set.

Despite falling in both of the matches, the Judges featured some notable individual performers.

Outside hitter Liz Hood '15 recorded a combined 29 kills on the day, while libero Elsie Bernaiche '15 added 33 digs in the defeat.

Setter Maggie Swenson '15 posted 34 assists in the first match and managed to tally up another 19 in the second match.

"Liz gets a big kill whenever we really need one," said Bernaiche, who, for her part, led both matches in digs.

Though the Judges did have some standout performances in both of the matches, head coach Michelle Kim said she believed that the Judges didn't play to their full potential during the tournament.

"We didn't play as a team today," Kim said. "We just didn't have it."

Kim said that the team did "okay" with a lot of things, but that ultimately "okay" won't lead to many wins.

"It's important that we don't get too comfortable with the way we are playing. We always have to be pushing," Kim said.

Co-captain and outside setter Yael Einhorn '14 thinks that attitude is a big part of the winning formula. She additionally noted that the Judges need to make a few adjustments in that area.

"If we don't improve our attitude from this past weekend, we are going to have trouble in conference games," she said.
According to Einhorn, volleyball is a sport filled with enthusiasm and encouragement.

However, she also acknowledged that it is hard to stay positive when each member of the team is highly competitive and in conflict with one another.

Despite the challenges that the Judges have faced in that particular area, she said she believes that the team has the potential to improve the issue and, as a result, become more successful.

"Still, the team chemistry is fantastic and we all get along great," she continued, "even if sometimes it doesn't totally show when we play together."

Earlier in the week, the Judges downed the visiting Lyons of Wheaton. In that game, Hensley stood out for Brandeis, recording a double-double for the second time this season by notching 15 kills and 11 digs. Hensley's kill total was her best this season and second on the team to Hood.

When asked about what goals the team had for the year, Einhorn said that the team wants to make it to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, and improve their record in the University Athletic Association.

"We also want to have more fun when we play, which will lead to more wins, " Einhorn said.

According to Coach Kim, the goal is for the team to "play [its] best volleyball."

The Judges will play their next match tonight at 7 p.m. at Simmons College.

- Henry Loughlin contributed reporting