Skyhawks win their third and fourth straight matches

Remick chipped in 16 kills combined through two matches

EASTON, Massachusetts (September 2, 2018) – The Stonehill College volleyball team won its third- and fourth-straight matches, third straight at home, in three-straight sets against Georgian Court University and Merrimack College on Saturday at Merkert Gymnasium in the Skyhawk Invitational.

Match 1: Stonehill 3 – Georgian Court 0

For the Skyhawks, Allyson Hughes notched a match-high nine kills, while Abby Remick tallied eight kills in the victory. Freshman setter Lauren Wilke registered 34 assists and nine digs, while junior Rachel Dunlavy chipped in 13 digs. Three Skyhawks registered four blocks, including Megan Pennino, Hughes, and Clare Feeman.

Stonehill's dominating .355 hitting percentage in the first set was the game decider, as their biggest lead of the match, 19, was set point, 25-6.

The second set was very similar in the Skyhawk's offensive efforts. Georgian Court was unable to get in a rhythm, as Stonehill extended its lead to eight, 19-11. The Lions' longest run of three, 15-19, was no match as the Skyhawks ran with a 6-2 advantage at the end to take set point, 25-17.

The Lions saw its only lead of the match in the third set, kicking off the frame with a 5-3 lead. Stonehill fought back with an 8-2 run, 11-7, for their second lead of the set. Georgian Court scored four-straight points to tie the game at 11 each, but Stonehill kept the advantage through the rest of the set finishing the match on a 14-9 run, 25-20.

Match 2: Stonehill 3 – Merrimack 0

Hughes also led the way in this match with her 19 kills, as Sophia Poveda was the only other Skyhawk with double-digit kills, notching 11. Dunlavy added in 13 digs, while Wilke added in 34 assists. Feeman registered three blocks and Pennino and Poveda added two to the tally. The Skyhawks also totaled nine aces.

Stonehill took a quick seven-point advantage, 13-6, in the first set, but Merrimack closed the gap to three, 10-13, with four-straight points. The Skyhawks continued commanding the court and wrapped up the opening set with a 12-4 run, 25-14.

The Warriors saw its first lead of the match in the second set, 3-1, but Stonehill scored 10-straight points, 11-3, getting the momentum back in their hands. Play toggled back-and-forth for the remainder of the set giving the Skyhawks a 25-13 second frame score.

Poveda registered 18 kills and four blocks in the two matches

The Skyhawks opened the third set with a 4-0 run and Merrimack attempted to fight back, but only came within five, 7-12, before Stonehill ran with eight-straight points for a 13-point lead, 20-7, courtesy of Jessica Givens. Merrimack went on an 8-5 run late in the frame, but Stonehill held on for a 25-15 match point.

Stonehill will travel to Brookville, New York next for a tri-match at the Pratt Recreation Center to battle East Stroudsburg at 2:00 p.m. and LIU Post at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8.

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2018 Skyhawk Invitational All-Tournament Team

Allyson Hughes – Stonehill College
Lauren Wilke – Stonehill College
Jazlyn Pipkins – Felician College
Shana Rayside – Georgian Court University
Sofia Basauri – Merrimack College