The Judges opened the weekend Saturday afternoon with a 25-14, 25-14, 25-20, loss at the hands of 16th-ranked Chicago. Junior middle blocker Becca Fischer (San Antonio, Texas/Clark) led the way offensively with seven kills – two shy of a season-high- and two blocks (one solo). Rookie libero Elsie Bernaiche (Plantsville, Conn./Southington) had seven digs.
In their next match on Saturday, Brandeis suffered a 25-16, 25-20, 25-14, loss at the hands of Case Western Reserve, coach by Karen Chambers Farrell '93. Junior Lauren Berens (Boulder, Colo./Fairview) led the way with a season-high nine kills and just two errors in 34 attempts for a fine .538 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Yael Einhorn (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) recorded a double-double with 21 assists and team-high 11 digs. Rookie Vanessa Bodie (Grand Junction, Colo./Fruita Monument) added 10 digs, her second collegiate match in double figures and three shy of a season high.
Sunday's action was no easier, as the third-ranked Emory University Eagles handed Brandeis a 25-17, 25-10, 25-20, defeat, en route to winning the top seed in November's UAA championship. Rookie outside hitter Liz Hood (Albuquerque, N.M./Albuquerque Acad.) had a fine showing against the Eagles, posting the team's first double-digit kill performance of the weekend with 10 kills and a .250 hitting percentage (10 K-4 E-24 TA). Sophomore outside hitter Si-Si Hensley (Fullerton, Calif./Troy) added five kills and nine digs.
In their last match of the weekend, the Judges fell to host Rochester, 25-16, 25-15, 25-19. Hood finished with nine kills and Hensley had seven. Fischer had five kills and just one error in 14 attempts and added three blocks (two solo). Einhorn distributed 19 assists and had two service aces.
Brandeis is back in action next weekend at the Hall of Fame tournament. Matchups will be released early this week.