EASTON, Mass. – Returning to the friendly confines of Merkert Gymnasium, the Stonehill women's volleyball team opened NEC action with a 3-2 victory over the University of New Haven on Friday evening.
STONEHILL HIGHLIGHTS
- Freshman Sam Loyd registered a career single-game best 20 kills while tallying 13 digs for a double-double.
- Freshman Kendra Sawyer paced the Skyhawk offense also notching a career single-game high with 50 assists and 14 digs.
- Freshman Emaline Ealey also put up a career single-game high with 15 kills.
- Senior Mia Berardino rounded out the Stonehill in double figure kills with 15 kills of her own.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Skyhawks came out of the gate red hot in their home opener, jumping out to a 2-0 match lead over the Chargers. Freshmen
Sam Loyd and Emmaline Ealey posted a .375 attack percentage each, notching five and four kills respectively in the first set to guide the Skyhawks to the 25-23 win.
Stonehill kept the pressure on New Haven into the second set. Ealey added another five kills, while senior
Mia Berardino was flawless notching five kills on 12 attempts to hit .417 in the set as the Skyhawks cruised to the 25-22 win.
However, the Chargers were not going away quietly. Behind a total of 146 total blocks between the third and fourth sets, they were able to even up the match and force a decisive fifth set.
It appeared as if momentum was swinging over towards New Haven as they jumped in front, 3-0. But it was short-lived as the Skyhawks grinded their way back. Midway through the fifth set the Skyhawks a one-point lead, 8-7, but behind a pair of kills from Loyd, they went on a 4-0 run to take a 12-7 advantage and never looked back.
UP NEXT
Stonehill returns to the court tomorrow for their second match against New Haven at 4:30 p.m. Watch all the action on NECFrontRow.
