Terriers reel off three-straight sets to claim first NEC win behind Melendez and Ugolini attack
Peirson recorded a career-high nine kills and added three block assists (PHOTO BY Brian Foley) |
EASTON, Mass. (October 8, 2022) – St. Francis Brooklyn College rebounded after Stonehill College won the first set by reeling off the next three to claim a 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19) triumph in Northeast Conference volleyball action on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium this evening.
St. Francis Brooklyn 3, Stonehill 12
(19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19)
St. Francis Brooklyn Leaders
Camelia Melendez Sophomore, Outside Hitter: Match-high 16 kills, 6 digs, 4 service aces, 3 block assists.
Arianna Ugolini Freshman, Outside Hitter: 10 kills, .450 hitting percentage, 5 digs, 2 service aces.
Monica Vargo Sophomore, Setter: 18 assists, 3 service aces, 7 digs, 2 kills.
Stonehill Leaders
Molly Turner Senior, Setter: 21 assists, 2 service aces, 10 digs.
Delaney Mihelich Freshman, Setter: 17 assists, 4 digs, 2 kills.
Kaitlyn Watson Freshman, Middle Blocker: 9 kills, 3 blocks.
Jentry Allen Junior, Outside Hitter: 6 kills, 2 service aces, 5 digs.
How it Happened
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Stonehill took charge in the first set, posting a .278 hitting percentage and a 55-percent side out percentage, led by four kills each by Watson (no errors on six total attacks), sophomore Lindsey Peirson, who also had no errors on five total attacks, and senior Amanda Maier.
Turner dished out a match-high 21 assists and totaled a career-high ten digs (PHOTO BY Brian Foley) - The Skyhawks scored seven-straight points on Allen's serve to start the match, grabbing a quick 7-1 lead after a Watson kill.
- St. Francis Brooklyn answered with an 8-3 run to pull within a point (10-9) after a Skyhawks attack error.
- Stonehill wouldn't relinquish the lead, regaining a six-point cushion (18-12) after an Allen ace and would hold that advantage the remainder of the set to grab the set advantage.
- St. Francis rebounded with a .538 hitting percentage and 77% side out percentage to get the momentum going with the second set win behind eight kills and no errors on 14 attacks by Melendez.
- The Terriers grabbed the early lead in this set and wouldn't let go, despite two Turner aces pulling Stonehill within two (10-8) midway through the set.
- A back and forth third set shifted the momentum for good, getting four kills from Ugolini and a pair of aces by Vargo.
- Stonehill led by three (15-12) on Watson's serve, but Melendez got a side out with a kill and the teams would be tied five times over the remainder of the set before it was decided.
- Knotted at 21-21, St. Francis got a kill from postgrad Hayley Meshay and then an attack error for a two-point cushion.
- Watson put the Skyhawks back on serve with a kill, but another Skyhawks attack error and Vargo ace sealed the crucial third set for the Terriers.
- St. Francis stormed out to a ten-point lead (15-5) in the fourth set and didn't look back. Melendez chipped in three more kills and a pair of aces, while Vargo dished out eight assists in the set.
- St. Francis led by 13 (18-5) after ten straight points on Melendez's serve, but Stonehill wouldn't go down quietly, scratching its way back to within six (23-17) after consecutive attack errors by the Terriers.
- St. Francis closed the match out from there, however, as following a timeout, Melendez earned a side out with a kill and then match point came by way of an attack error.
Noteworthy
- Pierson's nine kills are a career-high, while Maier's nine are a season-best.
- Turner's ten digs are a career-best.
Up Next
Stonehill (1-17, 0-5 NEC) is back in action on Wednesday, when it visits the University of New Hampshire for a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. The Skyhawks return to Merkert Gym on Wednesday, October 19, to host New Hampshire at 7 p.m. St. Francis (8-14, 1-4 NEC) hosts Fairleigh Dickenson University on Friday at 6 p.m.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
