Women’s Volleyball Loses in Crushing Five Set Defeat

Providence, R.I. – Women's volleyball played in their first match this weekend in Providence where they took on the Crusaders of Holy Cross. In a five-set thriller, the Warriors were defeated by Holy Cross, handing them their first loss of the weekend.

Score: Merrimack: 2, Holy Cross: 3
Records: Merrimack (1-5), Holy Cross (3-5)
 

How It Happened
 
The Warriors kicked off the weekend tournament strong by taking an early 4-2 lead against the Crusaders. Marissa Kobelski can be credited to the early success with a kill and a block assist. Service aces and kills from Mckenna Shotwell helped extend the Warriors lead despite the neck and neck battle. Lilly Konrad turned up the heat in the second half of the set collecting seven assists. The Warriors cruised to a first set victory by a score of 25-20.
 
After a satisfying first set, the Warriors found themselves in a hotly contested match with the Crusaders. With the help of service and attack errors from the opponent the Warriors were able to keep the set close. The Crusaders fired back going on a 9-1 run to pull away from Merrimack. In a last-ditch attempt, Aubrey Baker tallied a kill and a block assist, but it wasn't enough as the Crusaders tied up the match 1-1.
 
It was time to share the wealth as multiple different Warriors helped the team to jump out to an early 8-5 lead in the third set. Yet again, Mckenna Shotwell caught fire adding three kills and a service ace to bolster the Warrior led to 17-14. In an attempt to make a late comeback the Crusaders were stopped by none other than Shotwell, who added two more kills and her first block assist of the day. The Warriors emerged victorious in the third set 25-20.
 
On the verge of a victory the Warriors found themselves trailing early in the third set. A strong effort of three assists from Sophia DeBonis helped keep the match close but the Crusader offense continued their attack. Late in the set the Warriors found themselves down 10 but quickly went on a 6-1 run to reduce the lead. The late push wasn't enough as the Crusaders came out on top forcing a fifth set.
 
In the match decider, the Warriors were in a back-and-forth battle trading blows with the Crusaders. Morgan Thurlow added two clutch kills that evened the game at 4-4. Holy Cross ramped up their offensive fire power dazing the Warrior defense in the end. The Crusaders pulled away in the end handing the Warriors a heartbreaking five set loss.
 

• Mckenna Shotwell led the Warrior offense with a double-double (12 kills and 16 digs)
• Sophia DeBonis also had a double-double with 15 assists and 15 digs
• Morgan Thurlow tallied 10 kills and a season high 8 block assists

 
Up Next

The Warriors look to earn their first win of the weekend as they continue tournament play on Saturday at 2pm against the hosting Friars of Providence College. The Warriors suit up for a early morning match against Central Connecticut State on Sunday at 9am.