Skyhawks kept their hitting percentage above .200 throughout each set

EASTON, Massachusetts (September 1, 2018) – The Stonehill College volleyball team secured a 3-0 victory against Felician University during the Skyhawk Invitational for its home opener at Merkert Gymnasium this afternoon. The Skyhawks won with set scores of 25-21, 25-17, and 25-19.

For the Skyhawks (2-2), senior Megan Pennino (Wantagh, New York/Wantagh) registered a match-high 11 kills, as she was the only player in double-digit kills. Freshman Abby Remick (Chepachet, Rhode Island/Ponaganset) and sophomore Sophia Poveda (Miami, Florida/Westminster Christian School) tallied nine kills apiece, while Lauren Wilke (Blue Point, New York/Bayport-Blue Point) chipped in 33 assists and nine digs, for a team high.

Pennino registered a match-high 11 kills, one shy of her career-high

Felician scored the first point of the match, but the momentum quickly flipped as Stonehill scored six-straight points, 6-1. The Skyhawks were able to keep their distance from the Golden Falcons, but play toggled until Stonehill scored four-straight points to get their lead back to six, 20-14. Felician came within two, 20-18, and Stonehill refocused to take the first game with a 5-3 run, 25-21.

Stonehill outhit Felician in the second set with their .306 hitting percentage, the highest of the match, while the Golden Falcons averaged .167 at the net. The Skyhawks were once again able to keep their distance with an early nine-point advantage, 14-5. The Golden Falcons came back with a 5-3 run, 10-16, held on for the rest of the second set, taking game point, 25-17.

Felician saw its best hitting percentage of the game during the third set, .222, but Stonehill just edged out the Golden Falcons with its .278 hitting percentage. Felician was in charge for most of the frame, with its biggest lead of five, 8-3. The Skyhawks fought back and ran with a 7-1 run, tying the game twice, 16-16 and 17-17, regaining its momentum from the first two frames, 20-17. Stonehill was able to close the set with a 5-2 run taking match point, 25-19.

Stonehill will host Georgian Court University at 10:00 a.m. at Merkert Gymnasium and will follow with a match against Merrimack College at 5:30 p.m. to conclude the Skyhawk Invitational.

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