Links: Box Score
Video: Highlights
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program gave the visiting University of New Haven Chargers all they could handle on Tuesday evening – particularly in the opening two frames – but the leaders of the Northeast-10 Conference staved off the upset-minded Warriors, 3-0, from Hammel Court.
The Basics
Score: New Haven 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-18 | 25-23 | 25-9)
Records: Merrimack (3-12, 1-2 NE10) | New Haven (15-3, 6-0 NE10)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.
Set Breakdown
- A 3-0 run keyed by two kills for freshman Kayla Zinser gave Merrimack an early two-point lead in the first set. New Haven, however, recorded five straight points to pull back in front, 6-3. From there, the Warriors methodically worked themselves back into the set as a kill from junior Catherine Flaherty followed by an error evened the frame at 10-all. Trailing 13-12, the Warriors relented six consecutive New Haven points that proved to be the swinging point of the set. Merrimack climbed back within four, 20-16, but that was as close as the hosts got before falling, 25-18
- The second set proved to be one of the best of the season for the Warriors. The Warriors surged to an 8-2 advantage behind points for seniors Katelynn Marr and Sofia Basauri as well as one from freshman Sophie Meyers. Later in the set, Meyers notched consecutive kills to hold off a charging New Haven, 16-11. The Chargers were able to tie the game, 18-18, but Merrimack pulled back ahead, 20-18. The Warriors conceded the lead, but recovered to tie the set, 22-all, after a loud kill off a free ball from Marr. New Haven prevailed though, winning its second set point to take a 25-23 win into the third
- The visitors proved to play their best in the final set. The Chargers embarked on a 7-1 run to start the game, forcing a Merrimack timeout. New Haven held leads of 14-5 and 20-7 before ultimately triumphing, 25-9
Top Performers
- Senior Amanda Cain was the best defensive player on the floor Tuesday night, totaling a match-high 20 digs, which was nine more than any player
- Marr posted seven kills and eight digs in one of her strongest matches to date. The senior outside hitter boasts 15 kills on 40 attacks over her last two matches
- Junior Sydney Buran paced the Warriors with 22 assists, while also registering an impressive five kills on nine attacks without an error (.556 H%)
- Meyers was only outdone by Buran in the hitting department (.417). The North Andover, Mass. native also totaled five kills without an error, on 12 attacks. She was joined by Zinser as the only Merrimack players with block solos on the night
Notes and Notables
- Cain's match high in digs was also the second time in the last four matches that she totaled at least 20 and fourth time overall in her career. The team captain is on pace to shatter her previous career best in digs per set, and is within 36 of establishing a new career best
- Merrimack's .157 hitting percentage marked its third highest of the season. The second set was the Warriors' best, hitting .314 as a unit with 15 kills on 35 attacks with only four errors
Up Next
Merrimack wraps up its five-match homestand this Saturday evening when the Warriors host Saint Anselm at 7 p.m. at Hammel Court in NE10 play.
