Gebhardt and Pepe Lead Attack as Volleyball Faces ECC Foe UDC
Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 16, 2012) – Junior setter Nicolette Gebhardt (Pine Bush, N.Y.) and junior middle blocker Nicole Pepe (East Meadow, N.Y.) led the attack with double-digit kills as Mercy College volleyball team ended its five-game East Coast Conference road trip at the University of the District of Columbia on Tuesday night.
Mercy jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the first set and UDC could not recover, coming no closer than three points before falling, 25-20, as the Mavericks took the 1-0 lead in the match. The second set was contested tightly until the Mavericks led 8-7, when UDC went on a 6-1 run to go up 13-9 and steadily increased the margin to take the set, 25-16. The Firebirds rode their momentum into the next set, going up 11-5 behind seven unanswered points and again holding the margin to win, 25-19, and take the match lead. The fourth set was more of the same, as UDC scored six straight points to take the 13-8 lead and held on to win, 25-17.
Mercy's record now stands at 3-16 overall and 0-8 in the ECC, while UDC improves to 8-11 (3-6).
Gebhardt led the Mavericks with 16 kills on a .400 hitting percentage, while Pepe added 10 on a team-high .429 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter McKenna Ronan (Chandler, Ariz.) made 33 assists and served up five aces while junior defensive specialist Kirstie Zubiate (Salinas, Calif.) led the squad with eight digs and added four aces.
Senior middle hitter Vanessa Garley (Rio Rancho, N.M.) and sophomore middle hitter Ariana Scott (Lakewood, Calif.) each smacked 11 kills to lead the Firebirds, while sophomore setter Kamene Rose (Chula Vista, Calif.) made 41 assists and served up five aces and junior outside hitter Julia Lynch (Spring Creek, Nev.) recorded eight digs.
Head Coach Taneisha Cantave and the Mavericks will host ECC rival Queens College (2-17, 2-6) on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m.
