Skyhawks record 18 team blocks in win over Penmen

Sophomore middle blocker Mary-Kate Catton notched her first career double-double with 15 kills and 12 block assists, both game-highs.

EASTON, Mass. (October 23, 2012) – The Stonehill College women's volleyball team used 18 team blocks and 77 digs to defeat Southern New Hampshire University, 3-1, by scores of 25-20, 24-26, 25-9 and 25-14 in Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10) action on Tuesday night at Merkert Gymnasium.

Sophomore middle blocker Mary-Kate Catton (San Diego, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace) turned in her first career double-double with 15 kills and 12 block assists, both game-highs. Junior right-side hitter Kirsten Arvidson (Andover, Mass./Andover) contributed 15 kills and nine block assists and sophomore Meaghan Lee (Hanover, Mass./Notre Dame Academy) added six blocks (one solo) and six kills (.357 hitting percentage) to the Skyhawks front line.

Stonehill had four players compile double-digits in digs as senior captain and libero Erin Kelly (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist) highlighted the group with a team-high 19 digs. Junior outside hitter Sydney Maxey (Hutto, Texas/Hutto) had 15 digs, six kills and four block assists while freshman outside hitter Kelsey Weymouth (North Attleboro, Mass./North Attleboro) tallied 14 digs, nine kills and two block assists. Sophomore setter Emily Iverson (Elmhurst, Ill./York) recorded a double-double with a match-high 46 assists, ten digs, two block assists, two kills and two service aces.

For the Penmen, senior outside hitter Erica Solomon (Islip Terrace, N.Y./East Islip) connected for a team-high 12 kills, 14 digs and one assist. Freshman outside hitter Nina McGouldrick (Richardson, Texas/Richardson) tallied ten kills and four digs. Freshman setter Catherine Cotton (Murphy, Texas/Wylie) ran the offense with 31 assists, nine digs, two kills and one block assist.

Ahead 1-1 in the match, Stonehill's defense went to work in set three collecting a game-high seven blocks, including six block assists from Catton, and 17 digs which allowed the Skyhawks to race out to a 20-7 advantage and eventual 25-9 triumph.

Stonehill never gave up the lead or allowed the score to be tied in set three or set four using a combined .328 hitting percentage to complement its defensive efforts. Weymouth led all players over that two-set stretch with six kills, eight digs and two block assists.

The Skyhawks held off Southern New Hampshire in set one, 25-20, receiving a set-high five kills from Catton, four more putaways by Arvidson and four kills from freshman outside hitter Delia Phillips (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown East). Stonehill dropped set two, 26-24, as the Skyhawks registered their lowest hitting percentage on the night at .167.

Stonehill (12-10, 6-4 NE-10) travels to Pace University on Friday, October 26 for an NE-10 clash at 7 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (9-11, 1-7 NE-10) visits The College of Saint Rose on Friday at 7 p.m.