Junior Mary-Kate Catton did a little bit of everything in Stonehill's 3-1 win over Pace today, as she hit .355 with 15 kills, seven blocks, and three digs. |
Skyhawks have now won four of last five matches
EASTON, Mass. (November 9, 2013) – The Stonehill College volleyball team picked up its second conference victory in as many days, as Stonehill defeated visiting Pace University on Senior Day, 3-1 (25-21, 25-13, 23-25, 25-18) in Northeast-10 play at Merkert Gymnasium.
Stonehill junior middle blocker Mary-Kate Catton (San Diego, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace) led Stonehill offensively, hitting a team-high .355 with a match-best 15 kills. Catton also excelled on the defensive end, tying a match-high with seven blocks and adding three digs.
Senior outside hitter Rachel Sperando (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) earned the start in her second to last match at Merkert Gym, and she delivered, recording 14 digs, eight kills, and two aces in Stonehill's triumph.
Senior captains Sydney Maxey (Hutto, Texas/Hutto) and Kirsten Arvidson (Andover, Mass./Andover) combined for ten kills and eleven digs, and Arvidson also tied a match-high with seven blocks. Senior libero Jessica Frankowski (Unionville, Conn./Farmington) led Stonehill with 21 digs.
Junior setter Emily Iverson (Elmhurst, Ill./York) led all players with 37 assists while also adding 15 digs, and sophomore outside hitter Delia Phillips (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown East) contributed seven kills and four digs after entering the match late in the third set.
Pace was led by freshman outside hitter Kayla Witwer (Southlake, Texas/Carroll), who posted a double-double with 17 digs and 13 kills to go with two blocks. Freshman middle blocker Samantha Harting (Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach) added ten kills and two blocks, and freshmen Alyssa Marchino (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) and Ashley DiFulvio (Lakewood, Colo./Dakota Ridge) each recorded nine kills.
Pace struggled in the opening two sets, hitting -.022 in the first and -.024 in the second, allowing Stonehill to capitalize and gain a 2-0 advantage. The Setters rebounded in the third frame, hitting .178 to Stonehill's .059, to draw closer at 2-1. Pace led 14-13 in the fourth set, but Stonehill scored six consecutive points to take control, eventually winning 25-18.
Stonehill (16-11, 8-3 NE-10) will wrap up its three-match home stand on Tuesday night, when Bentley University visits Merkert Gym in the final home contest for Sperando, Maxey, Arvidson, and Frankowski. The Skyhawks then hit the road next weekend for matches at Le Moyne on November 15th, and the 2013 season finale at Saint Rose on Saturday, November 16th. Pace (4-25, 0-13 NE-10) closes out its campaign next Friday night at home against Merrimack.
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