Before last week, the volleyball team had captured just one NESCAC win, and it had come almost a month earlier against a Hamilton team with a current overall record of 7-14. Behind Feiger's play, the team emerged from the weekend with three straight wins against respectable opponents and to sit at 3-3 in the NESCAC and 11-11 overall.
Feiger added another 36 assists last night in the Jumbos' 3-0 win over Conn. College, which pushed them above .500 in league play at 4-3.
A major factor in the Jumbos' success was the praiseworthy play of sophomore setter Dena Feiger, who contributed significantly in each win and earned the league's Player of the Week honors in the process.
"I feel really good about the week," Feiger said. "It was so exciting to be able to go out there and run the 5-1 and do well with it."
Feiger finished the three matches and 10 games with a staggering average of 12 assists per game, while also helping out on the defensive side with an average of 4.6 digs.
Tufts had lost five of six when the team traveled to Brandeis on Oct. 9, but left Waltham, Mass. with a 3-1 win on the shoulders of remarkable play from Feiger as well as a solid team effort. Feiger added 48 assists, 17 digs and three kills in the win over the now-19-6 Judges.
Tufts then entered a string of NESCAC play over the weekend in which Feiger was just as impressive. In the three-game sweeps of Trinity and Wesleyan, she compiled a total of 72 assists, 29 digs and eight kills.
"I think my best game was against Wesleyan," Feiger said. "I had a lot of energy, and the whole team had a lot of energy ... Together, we played well, so it was a fun game to play."
Feiger is now the assists leader for Tufts, with 425 on the year. Her team has gotten back above .500 and is on its longest winning streak since winning five straight between Sept. 15 and 22.
When asked how she has progressed throughout the season, the sophomore said that a lot of her improved play in the past week has had to do with intensity and leadership.
"I think that I have stepped it up in trying to be loud and vocal and get the team pumped up," Feiger said.
