With two 3-1 wins against George Washington and George Mason Universities, Fordham Volleyball is off to the races with a winning record in Atlantic 10 play for the 2021 season. Last year, the squad finished off the year 5-9 in conference play and is hoping to have a better run toward an A-10 title. 

On Saturday in D.C., the Rams beat the Colonials in four sets: 21-25, 25-20, 25-13 and 25-22. Leading the team in kills, freshman Whitley Moody finished with 15 and a .275 kill percentage. The win, she says, was symbolic for the team:  “After dealing with multiple injuries and being off for three weeks due to COVID-19 disruptions, we were at a significant disadvantage going into this past weekend.” However, she notes the team’s ability to handle adversity: “We worked really hard over the six  days before our first match at George Washington, and it truly felt like we didn’t skip a beat.”

Coming off a university-mandated shutdown, Fordham opened its season with a great start and came together as a team. 

“After having about three weeks off, our team was super pumped to get the opportunity to play this weekend,” Bella Urena, junior outside hitter, reiterated. “We are just getting started this season, and with a determination to win, I’m hopeful that our team will go far.” 

The team is hopeful for continued A-10 play and wants to set its eyes on the championship. 

Urena continues: “I’m hoping on winning an A10 championship this spring, especially if we keep putting in the work we have been. With only having five practices before these games and still coming out with wins shows that we have what it takes to win, and I’m excited about this season and hopefully becoming A10 champs.”

Heading down to Virginia on Sunday, the Rams jumped on the Patriots early, grabbing the first set and continuing to soar, finishing 25-16, 14-25, 25-22, 25-14 to come out with the win. 

Moody charged forward again for the team, leading again with 17 kills, enough to capture Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. “I am extremely proud of our team for defying the odds against us and showing the A10 conference a new side of Fordham Volleyball,” she said. “We are looking forward to finishing out conference play over the next few weeks and making a run in the conference tournament.”

The Rams had their three-game home stint this week abbreviated, with Wednesday’s match against La Salle University postponed. As scheduled, however, Fordham will face George Washington and George Mason yet again this weekend.