Fall Sports Game of the Week: Women's volleyball

WRGW kicks off its Fall Sports Game of the Week programming with a D.C. volleyball showdown tonight as the Colonials take on Howard in the final game of the GW Invitational at the Smith Center. Jordan Teller and Eric Struening are calling the match, which will air on tape delay at eight tomorrow morning. You can listen here.

The Fall Sports Game of the Week can be heard every Sunday morning at eight; we think of it as a nice way to help with a hangover. In the past, fall sports broadcasts have typically consisted of only men's and women's soccer. However, we are trying to expand our horizons this year with women's volleyball and men's water polo (if the technical issues that arise when mixing water with electricity are able to be straightened out) efforts planned.

The women's volleyball program has a successful history, having reached the ncaa tournament in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 2000. Though the squad has fallen on hard times in recent years, those around the program believe that it is on its way back up. Earlier today, GW rallied after losing the first set to knock off Hartford. At 6-6, the Colonials are looking to get above .500 for only the second time this season. Fortunately for coach Jojit Coronel and company, the opponent is an 0-11 Howard squad.

Spoiler alert: I'll be posting live updates throughout the match.

Update, 7.32 p.m. - The Colonials won the first set easily by a score of 30-23. GW is clearly the stronger team, as it built a 10-3 lead before coasting the rest of the way. At this rate, it could be a long night for the Bison and a short one for the rest of us in attendance.

Update, 7.58 p.m. - The Colonials fought off a furious Howard rally to win the second set 30-26. GW jumped out to a 15-7 lead to open the second stanza, but the Bison embarked on a 13-5 run to cut the deficit to one. After GW scored the next six points, Howard countered with a 5-0 run before the Colonials closed out the set with back-to-back points.

Update, 8.12 p.m. - I would in no way consider myself a volleyball expert; my expertise is pretty much limited to what I learned in gym class way back in middle school. However, from watching this match it's easy to tell why many in the athletic department refer to Janine Brown as a special player. Almost everything GW does on the attack runs through her, as she leads the team in both points and kills. On a personal note, both Brown and teammate Jess Buche are pretty good basketball players; they almost led our severely undermanned co-ed intramural team to the playoffs two years ago.

Update, 8.24 p.m. - The Colonials made quick work of Howard in the third set, winning 30-14. The win moves GW above .500 to 7-6, while Howard drops to 0-12. The women's volleyball squad will be in action next on Tuesday at Loyola (Maryland). The Colonials return home two weeks from tonight to face Temple. That's all from the Smith Center. Special thanks to Sports Information Director Brad Bower and the rest of the players and officials involved with the women's volleyball squad. As always, thanks for stopping by, and be sure to listen to the broadcast tomorrow morning at eight.