Rockville Centre, NY – It took all five sets in the conference opener to determine a winner in this afternoons volleyball contest, including a marathon opening set that saw D'Youville prevail, 34-32, as the Lions fell to the Saints three sets to two. With the result, Molloy moves to 5-9 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while D'Youville improves to 8-8 overall and 1-0 in the ECC.
D'Youville 34, Molloy 32
Molloy 25, D'Youville 23
D'Youville 25, Molloy 20
Molloy 25, D'Youville 23
D'Youville 15, Molloy 11
How it Happened
- The Lions struck first, taking an early 2-0 lead following a Saints service error and a service ace from senior Hayden Riddle.
- The first set remained tightly contested, with the score tied eight times before the Lions took a 21-18 lead behind kills from sophomore Haven Trechter and freshman Kailie Girard.
- A kill from freshman Peyton Douglas put the Lions at set point, but D'Youville responded with a 4-1 run to take a 26-25 advantage.
- The teams continued to battle, with the score tied six more times before kills from Madeline O'Brien and Giselle Ramirez gave the Saints a 34-32 first-set victory.
- D'Youville carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to an 8-2 lead.
- Service aces from Riddle and junior Isabella Rios, along with kills from Girard and senior Erin Stanley, helped the Lions cut the deficit to 13-11.
- Molloy battled back to tie the set at 22-22 following an attacking error and service error by the Saints.
- A kill from Trechter, followed by back-to-back D'Youville attacking errors, gave the Lions the second set and evened the match at one set apiece.
- The back-and-forth battle continued in the third set, with neither team holding more than a three-point advantage until kills from Ramirez and Cameron Ulinski, combined with Molloy attacking errors, gave the Saints an 18-14 lead.
- D'Youville closed out the third set on a 6-2 run to take it, 25-20, and regain the match lead.
- The fourth set was another closely contested battle, with the lead changing hands several times before two Saints service errors and an attacking error helped the home team take a 17-14 advantage.
- D'Youville rallied late, with kills from Gabrielle Dials and a Molloy attacking error cutting the deficit to 24-23, but Trechter answered with a kill to give the cardinal and white the set and force a decisive fifth.
- Molloy opened the fifth set with a 4-3 lead behind kills from Girard, Trechter, and Stanley.
- D'Youville responded with kills from Ramirez and Ulinski to take its first lead of the fifth set.
- Molloy tied the score once more at 9-9 before a 5-1 run put the Saints ahead, 14-10.
- Stanley's kill brought the Lions within three, but a service error gave D'Youville the final point and secured the match victory.
Top Performances
- Stanley led all players with 17 kills, and Girard followed with 14 of her own.
- Riddle recorded 26 assists, eight digs, and two service aces.
- Freshman Isabella Smith tallied 16 digs.
- Trechter added 13 kills, six digs, and matched a career-best three aces.
Up Next
The Lions are back home tomorrow (Oct. 4) at 11:00 a.m. for a conference match up against Roberts Wesleyan
