Dives, digs, and determination couldn’t save the day as a ‘youthful’ Webster women’s volleyball team lost an NCAA III Championship first-round match, 3-0, to the #2 nationally ranked, and #1 seeded Washington University.  Webster, the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 2011 Champions, couldn’t overcome the talented Bears in a match played at the Wash. U. Field House on 11/11/11, but ended the season with hope for coming seasons.

The Gorloks had some bright spots in the first set before the Bears won it, 25-17.  Webster traded points early in the second set, but with the score 7-5 in favor of Washington U., the Bears went on an 11-0 run to win the set, 25-9.  Webster came out energized in the third set, seemingly determined to have some fun and play their game.  The Gorloks jumped to a 4-0 lead, and were tied at 11-11.  Washington U. pulled ahead, 18-16, eventually winning the third set, 25-17, and the match.

Webster started four freshmen, utilizing five throughout the match.  Combined with the returning upper classmen, this group gives Coach Merry Graf a core to build on and gives Gorlok volleyball fans reason to be excited about the future.  Sadly, Webster said goodbye to six seniors who wore the Webster jersey for a final time.

Jennifer Hoerber (Fulton HS, MO), Caroline Kargus (Mehlville HS), Elizabeth Linck (Hazelwood West HS), Kelly McClure (Fulton HS, MO), Lindsay Morris (Seckman HS), and Gretchen Rieger (Wesclin HS, IL) all played their last matches as a Gorlok.

Webster finishes the season at 19-13, one victory short of cracking the 20-win barrier an 11^th time.  A successful 2011 season that landed the team a first place finish, a SLIAC tournament championship, an NCAA berth, saw six players named SLIAC All-Conference and Graf named Coach of the Year, was now in the books.