NORTH ANDOVER, MASS – The Warriors fall to 2-2 in conference play with a loss to Sacred Heart in the final game of their home stand.
The Basics
Score: Sacred Heart 3,
Merrimack 1
Records: Sacred Heart (5-10, 4-0),
Merrimack (3-12, 2-2)
How It Happened
Merrimack and Sacred Heart came into this game as two of the best teams in the NEC. Sacred Heart started by going up 3-0. Merrimack was able to respond with points in spurts as the teams were tied at 6. Sacred Heart took a firm grasp of the first set when they went up 22-17, but a 8-2 late run by the Warriors saw the lead completely dissolve with MC up 25-24. The Pioneers were able to respond with 3 straight points to finish off the first set.
The second set commenced with an early 4-1 lead for the home team. Merrimack was able to control that lead and add to it as they were up 10-5, 12-7, and 14-8 before a 6 point run from Sacred Heart that made it 14 a pop. Merrimack was able to recenter themselves and put together a handful of bursts to take full advantage and ultimately win the second set 25-22.
The third set was yet another hard fought one. Merrimack was able to capitalize on a handful of mistakes from Sacred Heart early on and take a 3-0 lead. However, it was the Pioneers persistent attack that put the Warriors on edge as they were able to take a more than commanding lead late in the third set up 20-14. A Merrimack 4 point push made things interesting but SHU was able to put it away winning 25-21 and taking a two sets to one lead.
The fourth set was all about the team runs. The Pioneers took a 6-1 lead with Merrimack continuing to fight back in chunks but never quite regaining a solid chance to strike. That was until a 6-1 run themselves to take a 13-12 lead. Could we see yet another five set photo finish at Hammel Court? Sacred Heart clearly did not get that memo as they finished the set on 13-5 run and squashed the chances of a Merrimack win with a victory in 4 sets.
Notes and Numbers
Up Next
Merrimack will hit the road for a battle at Stonehill Saturday October 7th at 1:00 PM.
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