Links: Box Score
WORCESTER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program dropped a three-set decision to the College of Holy Cross on Tuesday evening, facing the Crusaders for the first time at Blaney Gymnasium in Worcester, Mass.
The hosts won by set scores of 25-7, 25-14 and 25-16. The Warriors dropped to 1-3 on the season while the Crusaders improved to 1-6.
The Basics
Score: Holy Cross 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-7 | 25-14 | 25-16)
Records: Merrimack (1-3) | Holy Cross (1-6)
Location: Blaney Gymnasium | Worcester, Mass.
Set Breakdown
- Holy Cross began the first set on a 7-1 run. Senior Catherine Flaherty earned a point back for Merrimack, and the Warriors added one more to cut their deficit to four. The Crusaders took over from there, winning 11 straight points to pave the way to winning the opener
- The Warriors started the second set well, winning the first three points including a kill for sophomore Kara Haase and blocks for freshman Lily Blodgett and sophomore Sophie Meyers. Leading 8-7, Holy Cross used a 6-1 run to flip the script and snatch a 13-9 advantage. Merrimack answered back, however, claiming four of the next five points. Freshman Taelyr Czech ended the run with an ace, trimming Merrimack's deficit to one (14-13). Holy Cross proceeded to on a 9-0 run to claim the frame, 25-14
- Merrimack absorbed a 5-0 start to the third set for the hosts, hanging with Holy Cross for the rest of the frame. Facing a 17-10 deficit, the Warriors traded points with the Crusaders to stay within six, 22-16. Sophomore Kayla Zinser posted two kills during that stretch while Blodgett and classmate Taylor Sawyer added a kill each. Holy Cross ended the match there, as the Crusaders won the final three points of the frame
Top Performers
- Flaherty led the team in kills and hitting percentage (.125), recording 16 attacks on the evening. She also added a team-best seven digs
- Merrimack notched eight block assists during the contest; Blodgett led the way with three to go along with a team-best two service aces
- Senior setter Rosie Sperduto dished out 15 assists over the three sets
Up Next:
Merrimack competes in the Lafayette Invitational over the weekend, facing the host Cougars on Friday night (7 p.m.) before facing Siena (10 a.m.) and Delaware State (3 p.m.) on Saturday. All matches will be played on Lafayette's campus in Easton, Pa.
