Assistant Sports Editor
The Springfield College women’s volleyball team is off to one its hottest start in team history. At 21-0 and ranked No. 20 nationally, the Pride have yet to see a fifth set. This dominating start is due, in large part, to the dominating play of senior middle blocker Lauren Torvi.
Torvi, who was recognized last week as both the NEWMAC and Division III National Player of the Week, has been off to a monster start, averaging just under four kills per game with a hitting percentage of .385, good for 15th in the country, as of Oct. 5.
The North Smithfield, R.I. native has garnered a lot of individual attention this season. Attention, she says, that she does not particularly enjoy.
“I kind of hate it,” joked Torvi. “I feel like sometimes I get recognized for my name and not how I play. At our last tournament, I didn’t feel like I played that well, but I made all-tournament. I don’t want to take recognition away from my teammates when they play well.”
Torvi’s efforts have been the byproduct of her teammates and the attitude they take to practice. Never satisfied with just winning, the Pride have come out of every game with something to improve on. Nobody has been happier to see this than coach Moira Long.
“These girls are all so motivated,” said Long, first-year coach of the Pride. “Usually, coaches need to ground their players after wins, but they ground themselves. They come out of each game saying ‘We need to block better, we need to set better.’ They know what they need to do to get better.”
The quality of this team from top to bottom has been a contributing factor according to Long, saying that the six-on-six practice matches are the best competition Torvi will see most of the season.
“Having Lauren go against Mary [Consol], who is a blocking machine, on a daily basis is great practice for her. She may get frustrated, but in a match, nobody is going to block like Mary or dig balls like Itza [Nieves].”
The intensity in practice has been the foundation for this impressive run by the Pride. This does not surprise them, however. This is where they expected to be.
“From the second we got back this year, we told all the new players that we made the Sweet 16 last year, and we’re going further this year,” said Torvi. “We come out of matches, we win 3-0 and say ‘that was awful.’ We are never satisfied and that is how we are going to get back there.”
Torvi is a senior in the Sports Management program and following the volleyball season, is looking into some internships that will take her elsewhere for the spring semester.
“I have been applying to some bigger schools looking at internships. I’m obsessed with the Longhorns, so I applied to Texas. Also, Ohio State is hosting the Men’s NCAA Championships this year, so it would be cool to help organize and run an event like that.”
Jimmy Kelley may be reached at jkelley@springfieldcollege.edu