Junior Delia Phillips recorded a match-high 13 kills in Stonehill's 3-0 loss to New Haven this afternoon. |
Junior Delia Phillips records match-high 13 kills and 9 digs in defeat
EASTON, Mass. (October 25, 2014) – Junior outside hitter Delia Phillips (St. James, New York/Smithtown East) posted a match-high 13 kills and nine digs, but Stonehill College fell to the University of New Haven, 3-0 (26-24, 31-29, 25-19) this afternoon in Northeast-10 Conference volleyball action at Merkert Gymnasium.
Phillips' 13 kills led all players, while senior middle blockers Mary-Kate Catton (San Diego, California/Academy of Our Lady of Peace) and Meaghan Lee (Hanover, Massachusetts/Notre Dame Academy) recorded seven kills each for the Skyhawks.
Freshman libero Claire Manuszak (Indianapolis, Indiana/Bishop Chatard) paced Stonehill defensively with a match-best 16 digs, and junior outside hitter Kelsey Weymouth (North Attleboro, Massachusetts/North Attleboro) contributed 13 digs to go with five kills.
Senior setter Emily Iverson (Elmhurst, Illinois/York) tallied 31 assists and seven digs, while classmate Mary Nelson (Rochester, New Hampshire/Spaulding) racked up a match-high eight service aces.
New Haven was led by junior outside hitter Kristen Lee (Colorado Springs, Colorado/Liberty), who hit .276 with ten kills and five digs as the Chargers handed the Skyhawks their first loss at Merkert Gym in eight matches this season. Senior middle hitter Kristy Atufunwa (Denver, Colorado/Denver East) totaled eight kills and five blocks (three solo), while sophomore outside hitter Meghan Kennelly (Detroit, Michigan/Eisenhower) posted ten digs and nine kills.
The opening set was tight from start to finish, with neither team building more than a four-point lead. Trailing 17-13, the Skyhawks went on a 4-0 run to even things up with the help of three service aces by Nelson. The set would see six more ties, including 24-24, before two Stonehill errors gave the visiting team a 1-0 lead.
Like the opening frame, the second set was close throughout. Stonehill recovered from an early 7-2 deficit to take an 11-8 lead, but New Haven pulled even at 11 and the teams continued to trade points. The Skyhawks finally got some breathing room with a 21-19 lead, but again, the Chargers fought back to tie the set. A kill from Catton gave Stonehill a 24-23 advantage and an opportunity to even the match at one, but the Skyhawks were unable to close the door on New Haven. A ball handling error tied the score again and later in the frame with the score tied at 29, two more Stonehill attack errors put the Chargers up 2-0.
In the must-win third set, the Skyhawks fell behind early and were unable to come back. Stonehill led 5-3 early in the frame, but New Haven posted a seven-point run to take a 10-5 lead. The Skyhawks cut their deficit to two, at 10-8, but the Chargers eventually pushed their advantage back to six (16-10). Stonehill got as close as five on several occasions, including 24-19, but New Haven closed it out with a kill by Kennelly to end the match.
Stonehill (17-5, 8-2 NE-10) is back in action next weekend with a pair of matches in Long Island. The Skyhawks will take on Adelphi University on Friday night at 5 p.m. before facing Pace University on Saturday at 2 p.m. New Haven (17-5, 8-1 NE-10) is also set to travel to New York for its next match, as Adelphi will host the Chargers on Tuesday night.
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