Volleyball Goes Undefeated in ECC/NE-10 Challenge; Cindric Earns MVP Honors

9/19/2009 12:00:00 AM

WALTHAM, MA – The Merrimack volleyball team swept Queens and New York Tech Saturday, extending its winning streak to six and finishing a perfect 3-0 in the ECC/NE-10 Challenge for the first time in school history.

In the 3-0 win over Queens, game scores were 25-20, 27-25, and 25-22. Against NYIT, game scores were 32-30, 25-19, 25-22.

The Warriors finished the weekend tournament as the only team to post a perfect 3-0 record in the ECC/NE-10 Challenge. Junior All-American Molly Cindric (Westlake Village, CA) earned tournament MVP honors, while Megan Murray (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) was named to the all-tournament team.

“It was great to see the team after such an emotional win on Friday over Bridgeport come out today and really grind out two wins against tough teams from the ECC,” said head coach Joey Pacis.

Cindric posted double-digits in kills in both matches and tallied a double-double against NYIT, registering 18 digs.

Against Queens, the Warriors started quickly hitting .237 in the first game while drilling 11 kills to just two attack errors. They cruised to victory, getting 44 kills in all, led by 16 from Cindric and eight each from Shaunda Forcier (Gonic, NH) and Murray. Alyssa Pickert (Tinley Park, IL) picked up 22 digs while Natalee Yeazle (Blaine, MN) was also in double-digits with eleven.

The first game against NYIT featured a thrilling 32-30 result, with Merrimack netting 25 kills to just four errors (.382 attack percentage). The tone was set from there as the Warriors won out, with Murray registering 13 kills and a .444 percentage and Forcier notching twelve. Pickert added another 28 digs, giving her 50 for the day, while Elyse Lorenz (Frankfurt, IL) notched 35 kills in the win and 53 for the doubleheader.

Merrimack, which is 10-2 for the first time in school history, opens conference play and a three-game home stand against Stonehill College Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

“We had a very good showing, and a good start heading into conference play,” said Pacis. “We're looking forward to starting conference play on Wednesday and continuing the momentum."