Molloy University Athletics

Rockville Centre, NY - The volleyball team concluded the opening weekend with losses to both Post University and the University of Tampa, ending the weekend with a record of 1-3. 

Game One: Post 3, Molloy 1
Post 25, Molloy 19
Molloy 25, Post 19
Post 25, Molloy 23
Post 25, Molloy 20

How it Happened

• The Lions would lead through the opening eight points, featuring kills from senior Erin Stanley and freshman Emma Kappaz and a service ace from freshman Olivia Smith. 
• The Eagles responded with six-straight points to take the lead, 9-5, fueled by three service aces.
• Molloy would scrape back to work the score within one, 13-12, following two kills each from freshmen Kailie Girard and Gracie Hahn as well as an ace from freshman Laci Smith. That would be as close as the set would get, however, as Post sailed to the opening set victory on the back of a 7-1 run that they never turned back from. 
• The score was tied three times early in the second set, but the Lions put together a 9-1 run to take a commanding 12-5 lead. Freshman Isabella Smith tallied four aces, including three in a row, along the way. 
• In total, Molloy attacked at a match-best .275 clip in the second set, allowing them to weather any push for a comeback from the Eagles to take the set 25-19 and tie the match at one set each.
• After taking the first point in the third set, the Lions struggled to regain control and trailed for the majority of the set. Refusing to admit defeat, the score would be tied five times, including as late as 20-20. A four-point run from the Eagles would ultimately seal the set in favor of the visitors before Molloy could retake a lead. 
• Despite attacking at a game-low .185 percentage, Post was able to lead the fourth and final set from the opening point to the final point. 

Top Performances

• Stanley led with 14 kills. 
• Graduate student Hayden Riddle tallied 19 assists and six digs while matching a career-high four aces. 
• Girard totaled 10 kills. 
• Olivia Smith had 13 assists nine digs to go with two aces.
• Isabella Smith paced the team with 17 digs and five aces. 
• Junior Franki Kelleher led with four blocks. 
• Laci Smith also had four aces. 

Game Two: Tampa 3, Molloy 0
Tampa 25, Molloy 14
Tampa 25, Molloy 2
Tampa 25, Molloy 21

How it Happened

• The Spartans offense dominated the entire contest, attacking at a .463 clip on the afternoon led by a .818 second set that saw zero attacking errors. 
• Molloy totaled six kills in the opening set but fell victim to long scoring runs from the visitors to fall 25-14. 
• The second set opened with an 11-0 run from Tampa that Molloy was unable to come back from.
• The tide shifted in the early goings of the third set as the Lions totaled four of the first five points, including three aces from Riddle. 
• Molloy's lead continued to as many as five points, 7-2, and the home team led as late as 14-13 before an 8-3 run put Tampa in front 21-16. The Lions managed to stay within striking distance, 23-21, before the Spartans took the final two points and the match.

Top Performances

• Stanley once again paced Molloy with five kills while Laci Smith totaled four. 
• Riddle had four aces for the third match this season, adding 10 assists and six digs. 

Up Next
Molloy will return to Bob Houlihan Court on Friday (September 4) against Chestnut Hill College at 5:00 p.m.