Givens records her fifth-match with 40-plus assists

EASTON, Mass. (October 27, 2017) – The Stonehill College women's volleyball team defeated Southern Connecticut State University in three-straight sets, 3-0, for its fifth win in six matches in Merkert Gymnasium Friday night. The Skyhawks won with set scores of 25-18, 25-22, 27-25.

Stonehill (9-11, 6-4 NE10) saw Katherine DeLanty (Smithtown, New York/Smithtown West) record her third double-double of the season with 12 kills and 16 digs. She also notched four blocks and five aces. Freshman setter Jessica Givens (Albuquerque, New Mexico/St. Pius X) helped the team with 40 assists, while Ashley Hitchcock (Warrenville, Illinois/Benet Academy) and Claire Manuszak (Indianapolis, Indiana/Bishop Chatard) tallied 14 and 17 digs, respectively.

Southern Connecticut State University (19-6, 6-4 NE10) saw Gabriela Vazquez tally a team-high 10 kills and 18 digs, while Anna Venard and Alexandria Jurgens notched 10 and 14 digs, respectively.

The Owls took a 2-1 lead in the first set, but the Skyhawks came out firing with seven-straight points from DeLanty serving to give Stonehill an 8-3 advantage. Stonehill followed up with another seven-straight points, extending its lead to 10, 15-5. Southern Connecticut came within seven, 16-23, but Stonehill would take set point, 25-18.

With nine ties and three lead changes in the second frame, the Skyhawks kept its composure as the Owls tied the set four times, 22-22 before Stonehill scored three-straight points, including two aces from DeLanty for a 25-22 win.

In the third set, Stonehill's .255 hitting percentage was the best of the match, as Southern Connecticut came close to matching it with their .240 hitting clip. The Skyhawks held the lead for most of the third set, 14-11, until the Owls tied up the frame at 14 and took a one-point advantage, 17-16. The Skyhawks continued fighting with a 7-3 run, 23-20, until the Owls took another one-point lead, 25-24. Stonehill tied up the set with a kill from DeLanty and tallied two more points with an ace from Givens and blocks by DeLanty and Megan Pennino (Wantagh, New York/Wantagh) to take match point, 27-25.

Stonehill plays in its final non-conference match-up of the year, as it hosts LIU Post on Saturday, October 28 for a 3:00 p.m. game in Merkert Gymnasium. The Skyhawks will also welcome back the programs' alumni in between the second and third sets.

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