Volleyball Wins Second Straight ECC Match, 3-1 Over UDC
Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 5, 2011) – On Saturday afternoon the Mercy College volleyball team took to the court at the University of the District of Columbia looking to build on Thursday's East Coast Conference win over Molloy College. The Mavericks managed just that in ending the Firebirds' season with a four-set victory, improving their record to 10-24 overall (4-9 in the ECC) and dropping UDC to 11-22 (2-12).
Mercy built up leads throughout the first set only for UDC to pull back each time, eventually rallying to tie the set at 23-23, but freshman outside hitter Brenna White (Gardnerville, Nev.) smashed two of her 27 kills in the match to close the set out in Mercy's favor. Another early lead in the second set was quickly overcome as the Firebirds rode an eight-point run out to a 10-6 lead. The Mavericks answered with a 13-2 run, however, taking the second set as well, 25-18.
The Mavericks had trouble getting their offense moving in the third set, as the Firebirds led throughout and closed with eight of the final nine points to win decisively, 25-13. Mercy the ended the match with a dominant fourth set that finished at 25-15 for the Mavericks' second straight ECC victory.
White hit an impressive .413 in the match, with her 27 kills pushing her season total to 638, which ranks second in Mercy history and still leads all divisions in the NCAA. She added 14 digs to post her 15th double-double of the season, while sophomore outside hitter Nicolette Gebhardt (Middletown, N.Y.) posted 12 kills as well. Freshman setters McKenna Ronan (Chandler, Ariz.) and Michala Askew (Ringgold, Ga.) made 23 and 15 assists, respectively, with Askew posting a double-double in tying for the match lead in digs (11) with junior defensive specialist Marissa Hurley (Shirley, N.Y.).
Junior middle hitter Vanessa Garley (Rio Rancho, N.M.) led the Firebirds with 19 kills as freshman setter Kamene Rose (Chula Vista, Calif.) made 26 assists for the injury-shortened squad, which was forced to play with neither a libero nor subs.
Head Coach Alan Clements and the Mavericks will take on conference-leading Dowling College (24-4, 12-1) as they attempt to finish fifth in the ECC this season. The match will also serve as Mercy's Senior Day, in which Crasheena Ward (Danbury, Conn.) will be honored for her four-year contribution to the team. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
