In a dramatic back-and-forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Oberlin College volleyball team secured the sixth seed in the upcoming North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3–2 victory over The College of Wooster on Senior Day.
On the morning of the highly anticipated match-up, the NCAC volleyball standings were incredibly tight, with three teams all tied at 1–5 in conference play. Each of these teams — Oberlin, Wooster, and Kenyon College — were battling for the crucial sixth and final spot in the upcoming NCAC Tournament.
With the pressure mounting, Oberlin and Wooster knew that a win was essential to keep their postseason hopes alive. Meanwhile, Kenyon saw its chances fade after a tough loss to DePauw University earlier in the day, dropping its record to 1–6. This left the Yeowomen and the Fighting Scots as the two teams left in contention for the final tournament berth. For Oberlin, this match was more than just a regular-season game; it was a do-or-die situation. The Yeowomen understood that only a victory over Wooster would secure their spot in the tournament and keep their postseason dreams intact. With both teams having struggled throughout the season, the stakes were high, and the atmosphere was charged with intensity as each side prepared for a battle that would determine its future in the conference.
The day was also an emotional tribute to Oberlin’s three fourth-years. The fourth-year honorees Natalie Dufour, Julia Hall, and Cami Sweet excelled Saturday, showcasing their skills as their senior season enters its final weeks.
“Natalie Dufour, Julia Hall, and Cami Sweet have done oh-so much for this program,” Fourth-year volleyball play-by-play commentator Max Miller said during the live broadcast. “They have brought life into Philips Gym. They play with unrivaled joy and tenacity, jubilation and grit. How many times has a Cami Sweet block sent the Oberlin faithful into a frenzy? How many times has Natalie Dufour caused the crowd to erupt by putting a leather ball on hardwood? How many times has a kill off of the right hand of Julia Hall made those donning crimson and gold rise from their seats? Countless. They have been the joyful backbone of this program. It has been a pleasure watching them play the game of volleyball.”
The pivotal match, held in Philips gym, was a rollercoaster from the very beginning. The first set saw both teams going point for point as Hall spearheaded the Oberlin attack. Multiple kills by the Yeowomen brought the score to an even 16–16 before Wooster ultimately pulled away, going on a 6–0 run to claim the opening set at 25–17. Oberlin rallied in the second set, trailing closely behind Wooster at the onset but eventually finding their groove with kills by Sweet and third-years Zeynep Kaya and Josie Macdonald to pull ahead 18–14. This spurred the team into action, bouncing back to a 25–19 win to even the match at 1–1. The Fighting Scots answered with a vengeance in the third set, leading 13–3 before the Yeowomen attempted to recover, bringing the score to a close 21–20 before ultimately losing the set at 25–22.
With their backs against the wall, Oberlin rallied in the fourth set. After a nail-biting exchange of blows, with each team fighting for a chance in the NCAC tournament, the score evened out at 26–26. Then Oberlin came through in the clutch, with Macdonald and Hall each registering kills to force a 2–2 tie and set the stage for a winner-takes-all fifth set.
In the final set, Oberlin seized control early with a 6–0 burst to take a 10–5 lead. Kaya delivered a pair of aces, and Sweet added a key kill during the run, setting up the Yeowomen to finish strong. Hall ended the match with her final kill, capping off a Senior Day celebration that fans will not soon forget. The match was a true test of grit and determination with 17 lead changes as the two teams traded blows. This victory also marked Oberlin’s first five-set win since October 2023, when they also triumphed over the Fighting Scots in a thrilling match.
Hall finished the match with a team-high 17 kills, including the match-clinching kill in the fifth set, bringing her season total to 138 and doubling her record from last season.
“It was awesome to get a win and qualify for the NCAC tournament on senior day,” Hall wrote in a message to the Review. “Natalie, Cami, and I are so grateful for the past four years of Oberlin volleyball and hope to keep our last season going for as long as we can. We are all looking forward to playing DePauw next Tuesday!”
Sweet, who was dominant at the net, recorded 12 kills with an impressive .440 hitting percentage and only one error. She also contributed two solo blocks and two block assists.
“I’m over the moon about our win on Saturday,” Sweet said. “The team knew the importance of this game. It was not only senior night, but it was also our ticket to the NCAC tournament. I’m so proud of my team. We all played with so much love, which is how we play our best!”
Oberlin also received strong performances from Macdonald — who posted 13 kills and 13 digs — and Kaya, who recorded nine kills, 15 digs, and two aces. Third-year setter Jillian Jendsen and first-year setter Genna Gauthier combined for 46 assists, with Jendsen adding 31 and Gauthier contributing 15.
The Senior Day victory was an emotional one for the Yeowomen, as they not only honored their seniors but also earned a well-deserved chance to compete for an NCAC title. Oberlin will look to carry this hard-fought win into the postseason and beyond. With the victory and a spot secured in the NCAC Tournament, the team will looo to capitalize on its success when it faces third-seeded DePauw Tuesday, November 12.
