Junior Taylor Stevens recorded 23 assists and 12 digs in Stonehill's 3-0 loss to Gannon tonight.

Junior Taylor Stevens records double-double with 23 assists and 12 digs

EASTON, Mass. (September 11, 2015) – The Stonehill College volleyball team fell 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-20) to Gannon University in non-conference action this evening on the first night of the Stonehill Skyhawks Invitational at Merkert Gymnasium.

Junior setter Taylor Stevens (Foster, Rhode Island/Ponaganset) recorded 23 assists to go with 12 digs defensively for her second double-double of the season. Senior outside hitter Delia Phillips (St. James, New York/Smithtown East) hit .286 with ten kills, while classmate Kelsey Weymouth (North Attleboro, Massachusetts/North Attleboro) totaled eight kills and 17 digs.

Sophomore libero Claire Manuszak (Indianapolis, Indiana/Bishop Chatard) led all players with 18 digs, and classmate Ashley Hitchcock (Warrenville, Illinois/Benet Academy) chipped in with seven kills, three block assists and two service aces.

Junior outside hitter Hannah Kren (Waukesha, Wisconsin/Wisconsin) turned in a balanced all-around effort for Gannon, as she posted a double-double with ten kills and 11 digs while also recording two block assists and two service aces.

Senior setter Morgan Walters (Girard, Ohio/Gerard) also registered a double-double with 25 assists and ten digs, while junior outside hitter Jordyn Thiery (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) totaled 13 digs and nine kills. Classmate Lauren Beck (Chardon, Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) was one of three Golden Knights to record four block assists this evening.

Gannon claimed a tight first set, 26-24, despite a late comeback by Stonehill. The Golden Knights led 24-21 following a kill by Kren, which forced a Skyhawk timeout. Three consecutive Gannon errors allowed Stonehill to tie the set at 24, but another kill by Kren followed by an attack error on the Skyhawks gave the opening frame to the visitors.

The second set was close early, with the Golden Knights eventually claiming a 15-10 advantage on a kill by sophomore middle blocker Maggie Wilhelm (Euclid, Ohio/Lake Catholic). Stonehill would close the gap to two (16-14) on a kill by Weymouth, before Gannon stretched its lead back to six (23-17) and eventually prevailed 25-21 to take a 2-0 set lead.

Much like the second frame, the Golden Knights pulled ahead midway through the third set, building up a 20-14 advantage. Stonehill fought back to within a point (21-20) following a pair of service aces by Hitchcock, but Gannon closed out the set and match with four consecutive points.

Stonehill (3-2, 0-0 NE-10) will open day two of the Skyhawk Invitational tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. against Dowling College, before taking on Dominican College in the 7 p.m. nightcap. Gannon (2-2, 0-0 PSAC) plays Dominican at 1:30 p.m. and Dowling at 4:30 p.m.

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