Links: Box Score
EASTON, Pa. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program opened play in the Lafayette Invitational on Friday evening, battling the host Leopards from the Kirby Sports Center. After dropping the opening set, Merrimack battled Lafayette tightly in the final two frames, 25-22 and 25-18, but the hosts claimed a 3-0 victory.
The Warriors have two more matches remaining in the tournament, facing Siena tomorrow morning (10 a.m.) followed by a tournament-closing match against Delaware State (3 p.m.).
The Basics
Score: Lafayette 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-13 | 25-22 | 25-18)
Records: Merrimack (1-4) | Lafayette (4-5)
Location: Kirby Sports Center | Easton, Pa.
Set Breakdown
- Kills from senior Catherine Flaherty and freshman Emily Adams kept Merrimack within striking distance early in the first set, 9-7. From there, however, the Leopards used a 12-2 spurt to generate distance between themselves and the Warriors. Merrimack answered by winning four of the next six points, but Lafayette closed the set in 25-13 fashion
- Down 11-7 in the second set, Merrimack used a 5-1 run to tie the frame at 12 points apiece. Flaherty contributed two kills during the run. The programs would exchange points from there, leaving the game tied at 15-all before the Leopards won four straight points. With hosts ahead by five, 23-18, Merrimack ripped off a 4-0 run headlined by consecutive aces for freshman Taelyr Czech. The rally ended there, however, as Lafayette won the final two points to move ahead, 2-0
- Lafayette opened a 7-2 lead to begin the last set. Merrimack proved resilient, turned a 17-10 deficit into a 17-14 score via a 4-0 spurt. Freshman Luna Colozzo recorded points to start and end the run. Another kill from Colozzo brought the Warriors within three, 19-16, but a 6-2 match-clinching run ended the night, giving the Leopards the win
Top Performers
- Czech registered her third match with double-digit digs, finishing with a team-high 10. She added a season-best two service aces
- Appearing in her first match, Colozzo had her best match of the season. The newcomer posted a team-best nine kills on a career-high 21 attacks, finishing with a .238 hitting percentage. Flaherty added eight kills on a team-leading 26 attacks
- Senior setter Rosie Sperduto nearly posted her first double-double of the year with a season-high 23 assists and season-high eight digs
- As a team, Merrimack finished with 10 block assists including three from sophomore middle Sophie Meyers
Up Next:
Merrimack returns to the Kirby Sports Center tomorrow morning facing Siena at 10 a.m. The Warriors conclude the Lafayette Invitational by facing Delaware State at 3 p.m.
