By Ed Morrone
The purpose of Senior Night is usually to say goodbye. However, Julie Tatar and Nicole Smith hope they won't have to just yet.
The Pride volleyball team honored its two seniors before Saturday's regular-season home finale against James Madison University (JMU). It could be the last home match match of Tatar and Smith's career, however, their strong play in the 3-1 win over the Dukes left open the possibility that the Pride can host the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament on Nov. 19-20.
Smith had one of the best matches of her four-year career by tallying 15 kills in just 24 attempts (.583 hitting percentage) and Tatar was not far behind, notching both 16 kills and assists in the victory. The win, 23-30, 30-19, 30-26, and 30-19, boosted the Pride's overall record to 19-7, including a dominating 12-0 record at home.
The Pride has set its sights on home court advantage in the conference postseason tournament, which the team has not won since joining the CAA in 2001-Tatar and Smith's first year on the roster. To clinch the coveted home court the Pride must win its final two regular season matches against George Mason University on Friday and Towson on Saturday.
If the season ended today, Towson (11-1 in CAA) would host the tournament because of a one-game advantage in the standings over the Pride (10-2). However, the Pride defeated the Tigers on Oct. 15, so a win over George Mason University on Friday and another over Towson on Saturday would give the Pride the regular season title and most importantly, home court advantage.
"The win over James Madison was important," Smith said. "It put us in a good spot to host the conference tournament, which is definitely one of our goals. We get a great atmosphere and love playing at home."
Even though the Pride wants to host the tournament, there is a realization that it may not happen.
"We're absolutely confident on our chances even if we don't get to host," Tatar said. "It would be nice to play here because we're comfortable here and this is where we practice. We know the court well and all of the fans would be here cheering us on so it would be nice, but there is a possibility that Towson will be hosting and if that should happen then we'll have to make it happen there."
"The volleyball venue has been comfortable for us," Pride coach Fran Kalafer agreed. "But as far as hosting the championship, it would be great but going on the road can be great, too. As soon as we step on that bus, we're focused on what we need to do. Either way, we're excited about playing."
In addition to Tatar and Smith, the Pride (19-7, 10-2 CAA) got strong contributions from freshman Shellane Ogoshi (51 assists, 17 digs), freshman Talita Silva (14 kills), and sophomore Elizabeth Curley (13 kills). Silva has stepped up recently, getting more playing time as Tessa Sphar continues to recover from an ankle injury.
JMU (15-10, 5-7) got a match-high 20 kills from Emilee Hussack and 35 assists and nine digs from Nora Quish in the loss. The Dukes can still make the four-team CAA tournament, as it, William & Mary, and George Mason will fight for the final spot (Delaware has already clinched a spot while Virginia Commonwealth and UNC Wilmington have been eliminated from contention).
However, this day was all about Tatar and Smith, who have given so much to the volleyball program over the past four years.
"They both had outstanding matches," Kalafer said. "Nicole was just terrific and Julie has stepped up again and again in every single way. Looking back on their careers, I must say it's been a privilege to have coached them and to have known them as people."
Part of the Pride's success this year has been Tatar and Smith's emergence as leaders, on and off the court. They have each stepped up and had their best statistical seasons to date. Tatar ranks third on the team in kills with 272, which is almost 100 more than she had in her previous three seasons combined. Smith, meanwhile, is fourth on the team with 216 kills-six more than the 210 she amassed in her previous three seasons. However, none of it will matter unless the team can win "the conference championship," Tatar said. "That has been our goal from day one, and we're going to go out and do it."
Senior captain Julie Tatar is finishing up her final year with the Pride, but she is hoping her team has enough magic to make a solid playoff run. (Staff Photo)