By Aaron Rodenhausen
Sports Editor
This week, the Shorewomen played two of their last three games for the 2025 season. Both matches, one at seventh-ranked Johns Hopkins University and the other against Swarthmore College, resulted in a 0-3 loss, meaning the team has faced four defeats in a row.
The Shorewomen took on the Blue Jays of #7 Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md. on Oct. 29. The Blue Jays initiated an 8-0 run early in the first set to take a definitive 11-2 lead and eventually won the set 25-13 on an attack miscue by the Shorewomen.
Freshman outside hitter Emma Shaner leveled the score, 22-22, with a kill late in the second set. The Blue Jays edged ahead of their guests with three more points to take the set with a service ace and up the game’s score to 2-0.
Despite facing a substantial 16-5 deficit in the third set, the Shorewomen initiated an 11-4 run that closed the gap to 20-16. The Blue Jays responded by scoring five of the next six points, the last of which came on a service error from the Shorewomen. With that, the 3-0 game went to Johns Hopkins, which rose to 21-3 on the season and 7-0 in the Centennial Conference. Meanwhile, WC slipped to 18-8 and 4-4, respectively.
“Losing is not fun, but what makes it worse is when you learn nothing from it,” freshman middle hitter Emma Shaner said. “Every day you’re playing is another day you’re improving, whether you win or lose … it reveals the content of your character and whether you can handle a loss with etiquette and good sportsmanship.”
The Shorewomen returned home on Nov. 1 to play the Garnet of visiting Swarthmore College and to honor their three seniors for Senior Day.
The two teams played a close first set, tying 21-21 before the Garnet earned four of the last six points to take a near 25-23 victory. The Shorewomen and Garnet also tied in the second set, this time at 22-22, but the visiting team pulled out the win yet again with a service ace, 25-22.
Swarthmore grabbed a sizeable 17-9 lead in the third set, but the Shorewomen launched an 11-4 run that cut the deficit down to a single point. Sophomore middle hitter Lyndsey Wessel scored the service ace that brought WC to 21-20. However, the Garnet slipped just out of reach of their hosts once more, scoring four of the night’s last five points.
The set ended 25-21 and the game 3-0, for WC’s second such loss of the week. The Shorewomen fell to 18-9 on the season and 4-5 in the Conference, as the Garnet climbed to 17-8 and 7-1, respectively.
Despite the defeat, the Shorewomen recorded some individual success. Senior libero Gianna Romano tallied 24 digs, her career best, and senior setter Allison McKechnie made the most kills of any player with 13.
“We make a big effort to support each other through our wins and struggles, so I think lifting each other up no matter what is really important,” junior outside hitter Izzy Diehl said.
Next, the Shorewomen will travel to Dickinson College in Carlise, Pa. to play their final game of the year on Nov. 8.
Photo Caption: Sophomore setter Alexis Stubbs tallied 12 digs and 11 assists against #7 Johns Hopkins University.
Photo courtesy of WC Athletics