Laura Noonan's 10 kills led the Stonehill offense, but the Skyhawks fell in three games. (PHOTO BY Richard Orr)

Noonan, Huselton strong but Skyhawks are edged in each set

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (October 24, 2010) – The Stonehill College volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 34-32) non-conference decision to host Long Island University-C.W. Post on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Laura Noonan (Hampstead, N.H./Bishop Guertin) led the Stonehill offense with 10 kills and a .348 hitting percentage, supported by nine kills apiece from senior Erin Johnson (Centerville, Mass./Barnstable), junior Laura Huselton (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield), and freshman Sydney Maxey (Hutto, Texas/Hutto).  Five players collected double figures in digs, including 14 from Huselton and 12 from senior setter Andrea Wirth (Mesa, Ariz./St. Mary's), who also recorded 29 assists.

The Pioneers claimed the sweep behind a game-high 14 kills from senior Marilena Guadagnini (Huntington Beach, Calif./Marina) and 11 from freshman Jordan Schroer (Kailua, Hawaii/La Pietra). Freshman Stephanie Coufal (Littleton, Colo/Chatfield) led the defensive effort with 22 digs.

After falling 25-18 in the first set, Stonehill battled back with a .310 team attack percentage in a back-and-forth second set, but a late rally by C.W. Post gave the Pioneers a 2-0 advantage in the match.

The third set stretched to a final score of 34-32, as neither side ever led by more than two points and the game was tied 20 different times. The Pioneers eventually outlasted Stonehill for the win, securing the final point on a block.

Stonehill (11-11, 7-3 NE-10) next visits Southern Connecticut State University on Friday at 7 p.m.