Links: Box Score (Siena) |
Box Score (Delaware State)
EASTON, Pa. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program won its first-ever set against a Division I opponent on Saturday, playing a four-set match against the Siena Saints from the Kirby Sports Center as part of the Lafayette Invitational. The Warriors wrapped up tournament play on Saturday, facing both Sienna and Delaware State.
Senior captains
Catherine Flaherty and
Rosie Sperduto impressed on Saturday. The former totaled 22 kills on 65 attacks with only eight errors on the day. Sperduto dished out a season-best 37 assists to start the day, totaling 57 overall over the seven sets.
Merrimack returns to action on Friday, Sept. 27, when the Warriors make their Northeast Conference (NEC) debut out in Moon Township, Pa. against Robert Morris.
The Basics
Score (Siena): Siena 3,
Merrimack 1 (
25-21 | 22-25 |
25-17 | 25-18)
Score (Delaware State): Delaware State 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-18 | 25-21 | 25-7)
Records: Merrimack (1-6) | Siena (3-4) | Delaware State (3-8)
Location: Kirby Sports Center | Easton, Pa.
Set Breakdown (Siena)
- Merrimack hung with Siena early in the first set, trailing by one, 11-10, following a kill for sophomore Kara Haase. The Saints used an 8-1 run from there to build a 19-11 edge, but the Warriors did not relent. The Warriors won seven of the next nine points – including a pair of aces for sophomore Brooke Leestma – to pull within three, 21-18. With the score at 24-19, the Warriors staved off two set points, but the Saints converted on their third to win the opener, 25-21
- The Warriors won their first-ever set against a Division I opponent in the second frame. With the set tied at 6-6, the Warriors won five straight points that included three kills and an ace for freshman Luna Colozzo. Merrimack led by as many as eight points in, 20-12, after a pair of kills for sophomore Kayla Zinser. Siena moved within two, 24-22, after holding after Merrimack's first three set points. Colozzo won the frame on the fourth try, hitting a kill to even the match, 1-1
- Siena built a 19-11 advantage in the third set. Merrimack cut its deficit in half, 19-15, following three consecutive kills and a block for senior Catherine Flaherty and sophomore Sophie Meyers. With the Warriors within four, 20-16, Siena ended the set with a 5-1 run
- A 9-3 Siena start to the final set was answered by a 4-0 run for Merrimack. With the Saints ahead, 13-11, the Warriors won three consecutive points to take their first lead, 14-13, on a kill from Flaherty. The Warriors' lead remained at 15-14, but separate 5-0 and 4-0 runs for the Saints swung the fourth set in Siena's favor, 25-18, to give Siena the victory
Set Breakdown (Delaware State)
- Merrimack overcame an early lead for the Hornets, using a 4-0 run to take an 11-10 edge in the first set. Delaware State won five of the next six points to regain control, paving the way towards a 25-18 triumph
- After the Hornets kept the Warriors at arm's length through the middle, the Warriors fought back to tie the set, 17-17, via a kill from Colozzo and an ace for Leestma. The Hornets won seven of the next nine points to move within a point of the match, but the Warriors fought off two set points to keep the game going. With the score at 24-21, the Hornets won the frame to go up, 2-0
- The team's traded points in the final set, with another Colozzo kill pulling the squad within one, 5-4. Delaware State proceeded to go on its best stretch of the day from there, winning the set by a final of 25-7
Top Performers
- Sperduto started the day with a match high of 37 assists, averaging over nine assists per set
- Colozzo was Merirmack's team leader in kills on afternoon, finishing with 23 across the two matches. Her nine kills against the Hornets led the Warriors
- Freshman Taelyr Czech began Saturday with her best effort from the libero position, posting a career-best 19 digs
- Flaherty's 15 kills against the Saints were also a season high. The fourth-year outside hitter currently has a career-high .243 hitting percentage
- The sophomore trio of Haase, Meyers and Zinser posted an efficient day against Siena, combining for 14 kills and only three errors
Up Next:
Merrimack will have 13 days between action, returning to play on Friday, Sept. 27, when the Warriors play their first-ever Northeast Conference (NEC) match at Robert Morris at 7 p.m.
