Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Oct. 25, 2014) - Senior
Sam Berna (Massapequa, N.Y.) had a combined 27 kills on Saturday, but the Molloy College volleyball team went 1-1 in its two matches versus Southern Connecticut State University (W, 3-0) and Merrimack College (L, 3-1). With the split, the Lions are now 11-14 overall.
Molloy 3, Southern Connecticut State 0Â
In the Lions' first match, Molloy swept the Owls by the scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 25-14.
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With SCSU ahead 22-20 in the first set, the Lions scored five of the final six points to complete the comeback and go up 1-0 in the match.
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In set two, Molloy led 14-10 before four straight points by the Owls tied the score. The Lions answered with a 6-0 run via kills from Berna, junior
Danielle Williams (Alba, Texas) and senior
Shannon Appel (Rockaway Park, N.Y.), as well as three SCSU errors. Up 21-16, Southern Connecticut State responded with a 6-0 spurt of its own to regain the lead 22-21. However, a pair of Berna kills contributed to the Lions taking four of the final five points and the second set, 25-23.
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SCSU errors would be pivotal in the third set as Molloy capitalized on the Owls'Â mistakes. The Owls hit at a -.154 attack percentage, while the Lions never trailed in the third set. Both Berna and D. Williams registered four kills each in the match's deciding set.
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Berna recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a 10-kill, 12-dig match. D. Williams added to her team-leading total with 10 kills. Sophomore
Ally De Kruyf (Norwalk, Calif.)Â had a match-high 23 assists, while freshman libero
Samira Escobar (Fountain Valley, Calif.) contributed with 22 digs.
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Merrimack 3, Molloy 1Â
The Lions fell in four sets to the Warriors by the scores of:Â 25-8, 25-22, 20-25 and 25-22.
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In the first set, attack percentage was a key component for both teams. The Warriors hit at a .533 clip, while the Lions only hit -.188. A 6-0 run, 5-0 run and two separate 4-0 runs contributed to Merrimack's strong performance in the first set. Â
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A 3-0 run by Molloy led by a kill from De Kruyf and Appel apiece tied the score at 13-13 in the second set. Merrimack then scored four of the next five points to control the set. A late 4-0 run by the Lions kept them in the set before a Molloy service error and a Merrimack service ace gave the Warriors a 2-0 match-lead.
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Three separate 3-0 runs helped the Lions pace the third set. Merrimack survived five separate set-points to stay in it late and make the score, 24-20 in favor of Molloy. A kill by Appel forced a fourth set with the Warriors.
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Molloy held a 12-8 advantage in the fourth set before the Warriors went on a run. Merrimack scored seven of the next eight points to regain the lead at 14-13. Molloy would go up 19-18 until a 4-0 run by the Warriors pushed Merrimack ahead 22-19. Molloy survived one set-point, but the Warriors clinched the match on a kill by Stephanie Sheehan.
Berna led all players with 17 kills in the match. D. Williams registered eight kills and Appel had seven kills. De Kruyf checked in with 35 assists, five digs and a service ace. Escobar had 17 digs.Â
Next up for
Billy Corrao's squad is an East Coast Conference-matchup at Roberts Wesleyan College on Saturday, November 1. The Redhawks currently sit in that fourth and final spot in the ECCÂ Postseason Tournament.Â
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