WORCESTER, Mass. – The Stonehill volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Holy Cross in a midweek, non-conference match on Wednesday evening.
 
STONEHILL HIGHLIGHTS

• Freshman Sam Loyd led the offense with eight kills.
• Senior Mia Berardino followed up with six kills and four digs.
• Freshman Suzie Ponce led the defense with nine digs, while Kendra Sawyer paced the offense with 13 assists.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Crusaders took the early 1-0 match lead with a 25-20 win in the first set. Skyhawk freshman Sam Loyd kept Stonehill in the set, tallying four kills while also notching a pair of service aces.
 
However, it appeared as momentum was shifting the start of the second set. After an ace by Kendra Sawyer, Mia Berardino ripped off two kills to give the Skyhawks the 3-1 lead, but the Crusaders inched back, taking an 8-6 lead. Holy Cross continue to build upon their lead going on a 6-0 run midway through the set to take a 16-11 advantage.
 
Stonehill was not going away quietly, battling their way back to pull within two points late, 23-21, on a kill by Abby Farrell. But it was not enough as the Crusaders held on to win the second set, 25-23.
 
Holy Cross hit a solid .324 in the third and final set to claim the 25-12 victory and earned their fourth win of the season.
 
UP NEXT
Stonehill returns to the hard-court for the Boston College Invitational on September 19 and 20. The Skyhawks will face host Boston College on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m. before squaring off against Bryant (12 p.m.) and Harvard (5 p.m.) the following day September 20.