Colby volleyball finished off the regular season with a big win against Wesleyan University, qualifying the team for the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) playoffs. The win was one of three games that the Mules played last week, but the only win they needed to snag a playoff spot.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Mules took on Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in a non-league match. Despite beating MMA in their first tournament of the season, Colby fell this time 3-1 with set scores of 25-16, 25-20, 17-25, 25-22. Senior co-captain Caitlin Burchill wowed with nine kills, while junior Emily Varni had 19 digs and served five aces.

The team headed to Bates College for NESCAC games against Wesleyan and Trinity College on Saturday Oct. 29. Knowing they needed a win over Wesleyan to clinch a playoff spot, the Mules entered the match with a newfound drive. “Everyone understood how important the game was,” senior co-captain Mackie Sewall said. “You could feel from the very first serve that Colby wanted it more, and we were going to do whatever it took to win.”

Burchill echoed, “[The win] was an all-around team effort. We played so well, and Wesleyan had no idea what they were in for.”

Sewall and junior Maggie Taylor had 11 kills each in the 3-1 win, while Burchill finished the match with 10 kills. Varni had another strong game, serving five aces against Wesleyan. Sewall applauded the defense on its strong play, saying “they kept the offense running and Colby in the game.” Taylor and Burchill had 11 digs each, while Varni had eight digs, and sophomore Lily Kramlich-Taylor finished with five blocks.

Sewall also credits sophomore Anna Clifford for “stepping it up hugely and serving Wesleyan off the court at crucial moments.” Colby earned a NESCAC playoff spot with the 25-19, 25-17, 25-20 win.

The win was “surreal” according to Burchill, who expressed her excitement to have one more week playing Mule ball. Sewall added, “I am just so proud to be on this team….Every girl came into this season physically and mentally committed to improving our record.”

A 3-0 loss to Trinity that afternoon didn’t get the Mules down as they secured eighth place in the NESCAC playoffs. The Mules will head to Brunswick, Maine on Friday for a 5 p.m. game against number-one seed Bowdoin College. The College will provide a fan bus to Bowdoin if there is enough interest. Reserve your spot on Facebook.

No matter what happens next week, the volleyball team is extremely proud of its regular season and is excited to have come this far. “I don’t think [Sewall] and I could have ever dreamt of such a great senior year,” said Burchill. “And we have the whole team and our coaches to thank for that!”