Links: Box Score
HANOVER, N.H. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program battled Dartmouth College tough – particularly in the last two sets – in the Warriors' non-conference finale on Wednesday against the Big Green. The hosts won, 3-0, playing the match at the Leede Arena on Dartmouth's campus.
The Basics
Score: Dartmouth 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-10 | 25-20 | 25-1)
Records: Merrimack (1-22) | Dartmouth (8-15)
Location: Hanover, N.H. | Leede Arena
Set Breakdown:
- Dartmouth took a 7-1 edge to start the match. Merrimack answered by winning three of four points, off kills from sophomores Brooke Leestma and Natasha Vallis as well as freshman Emily Adams. Merrimack kept its deficit at five following a kill by sophomore Kayla Zinser, but the Big Green closed the match on a 13-3 run to open a 1-0 lead
- Merrimack play its best in the middle frame. Trailing 11-6, the Warriors used a 9-3 spurt to take a 15-14 lead. The run featured four unanswered points at the end, including two straight kills for Leestma to put the Warriors in front. Dartmouth responded, however, claiming the next five points to stake a 19-15 advantage. The team's traded points from there; Merrimack sat within three, 23-20, but the hosts won the final two points to move within one set of taking the match
- The third set saw the team's split the first 10 points. With Dartmouth up 8-7, the Big Green won five straight points and eight of nine to expand their lead to eight, 16-8. Down 21-10, Merrimack did not go quietly as the Warriors won four of six points – including another point for Leestma – to make it a 23-14 set. After Merrimack fought off one match point, Dartmouth ended the night on a kill, 25-15, to complete the 3-0 win
Notes & Notables
- Leestma record six points, one ace and seven digs for a solid performance
- Freshman Taylor Sawyer led the way with seven kills and a .286 hitting percentage; through the first two frames, the rookie was hitting at a .500 clip
- The setting tandem of senior Rosie Sperduto and sophomore Megan Rumenapp combined for 23 assists
- Defensively, Sperduto posted a team-best nine digs while freshman Taelyr Czech added eight
Up Next:
Merrimack will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, honoring the careers of seniors
Sydney Buran,
Kylie Chetwynde,
Catherine Flaherty and Sperduto. The quartet will be honored in a prematch ceremony before the Warriors face Sacred Heart on Friday night at 6 p.m. at Hammel Court.
