DeKalb, Ill. – The Merrimack college women's volleyball team continued their tournament play this Saturday against Southern Illinois Edwardsville. In a hotly contested match that went the distance, the Warriors fell by a score of 3-2. Following the loss to SIUE, the Warriors faced the Sycamores of Indiana State and fell in 3-0 sweep.
The Basics
Score (Match 1):
Merrimack: 2, SIUE: 3
Score (Match 2):
Merrimack: 0, Indiana State: 3
Records:
Merrimack (1-4), SIUE (2-3), Indiana State (2-4)
How It Happened (Game 1)
The Warriors started the first set with a bang getting out to an early lead of 8-3.
Marissa Kobelski gashed the Cougar offense and defense earning a kill, 2 service aces, and a solo block! A few rallies later
Mckenna Shotwell joined in on the fun tallying two straight kills, moving the Warriors out to a commanding 15-6 lead. A late push from the Cougars was a failure as
Jocelyn Hammerstrand put the nail in the coffin with a solo block and kill. The Warriors captured the first set in style by a score of 25-19.
With the second set underway the Warriors once again jumped out to an early lead featuring blocks from three different players. A few services aces from the Cougars helped them get back into the match, taking their first lead of the day. The Warriors fought their way back though getting the lead back at 10-9. Northern Illinois fired back with quick defense leading to multiple attack errors by the Warrior offense. Unable to come back after fatal errors the Cougars snatched the second set by a core of 25-17.
Entering the third set tied up 1-1, that theme continued as the Warriors and Cougars battled for the lead. With the score at 11-9, the Warriors went on an impressive 9-0 run capped off by kills from
Aubrey Baker and
Mckenna Shotwell! A weak Cougar push for the lead was silenced as the Warriors dismantled them in a third set rout.
On the verge of victory, the Warriors found themselves in yet another battle for an early lead. Knotted up at 5-5, the Cougars went on the attack stretching their lead with an 8-2 run. The Warriors didn't back down, clutch kills from
Ella Gizmunt and
Morgan Thurlow kept the set within striking distance. Northern Illinois quickly capitalized on Warrior errors and pulled away for a fourth set victory.
In a fifth set decider, the Warriors obtained a 5-4 lead taking advantage of Cougar errors. With the match on the line the Cougars blitzed the Warrior offense. A struggling Warrior offense was exploited in the end as the Cougars rolled them behind a 9-2 run. Northern Illinois wins the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.
How It Happened (Game 2)
In their second match of the day, the Warriors looked to get revenge after losing in a five-set thriller. Merrimack jumped out early with kills from
Marissa Kobelski. The Sycamores responded after going down early putting on a 19-2 run against the Warriors. A kill from
Aubrey Baker plus blocks from
Ella Gizmunt and
Morgan Thurlow weren't enough as Indiana State decimated the Warriors by a score of 25-6.
Looking to start fresh, the Warriors fought back finding themselves in a close game with the
Sycamores. Multiple players grabbed kills keeping the Warriors within striking distance.
Jocelyn Hammerstrand kept the opponent lead at bay with two kills and a solo block. The strong Warrior effort ended when the Sycamores took advantage of three straight errors. Indiana State earns the second set victory by a score of 25-21.
In the attempt to make a comeback, the Warriors fired back going up 4-0 in the third set.
Aubrey Baker tallied three kills in this short time. The action didn't stop there as the Warriors took advantage of offensive errors by the Sycamores. With the score at 9-6, in favor of Merrimack. The Sycamores clawed their way back into the game ending the Warrior comeback. Indiana State took the reins and went on a 19-1 run to put it away. The Warriors fall in the third set 10-25 completing the Sycamore sweep.
Stats and Facts (Game 1)
Aubrey Baker paved the way grabbing 10 kills and two block assists.
Mckenna Shotwell notched 8 kills on 42 attacks
Morgan Thurlow paced the Warrior defense with a season high 5 blocks.
Stats and Facts (Game 2)
Aubrey Baker led the way yet again with 8 kills
Mckenna Shotwell added 2 kills on 24 attacks with 6 digs
Sophia DeBonis led the team with 12 assists and 6 digs.
Up Next
The Warriors play in their third tournament on the 2025 season next weekend in Providence. They take on Holy Cross Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday against the hosting Friars at 2 PM, and Sunday against Central Connecticut State at 9 AM.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
