Hopkins Records Whopping 52 Digs as Volleyball Splits with Dominican, SCSU
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Sept. 14, 2013) – Senior libero Mallorie Hopkins (Commerce, Calif.) recorded a pair of incredible 26-dig performances over just six total sets as the Mercy College volleyball team split matches against Dominican (N.Y.), 3-0, and host Southern Connecticut State University, 0-3.
Mercy keeps it record even at 3-3, while SCSU improves to 5-1 and Dominican drops to 1-6.
Mercy 3, Dominican (N.Y.) 0
The Mavericks took some time to get going in the first set, falling behind on the first point and not taking the lead until a five-point run to go ahead, 15-12. The Chargers got three straight points to even things back up, but Mercy took over from there, winning 10 of the final 12 points to take the first set, 25-17.
Mercy carried the momentum to a dominant second-set victory as the Mavericks posted 15 kills with just one attack error for a .341 hitting percentage. Dominican tried to stage a late rally, but already down 18-8, the deficit was far too much to overcome as Mercy went on to win, 25-18, and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
With the match all but decided, the Mavericks continued to overpower the Chargers in the third set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead, capped by a pair of service aces by Hopkins. Dominican cut the margin back to four at 13-9, but Mercy would take 12 of the final 15 points, posting 16 kills en route to closing out the set, 25-12, on an impressive .448 hitting percentage.
Hopkins' 26 digs easily led the field, while junior outside hitter Brenna White (Gardnerville, Nev.) posted her fifth straight performance with at least 18 kills to start the season on a .342 hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Sonia Morales (San Fernando, Calif.) smacked six kills on a .545 hitting percentage, adding 2.5 total blocks, and junior setter McKenna Ronan (Chandler, Ariz.) made 33 assists in the victory.
Dominican was led entirely by freshmen, as middle blocker Cortney Yeoman (Glenn Dale, Md.) was the only Charger to post a hitting percentage of at least .100, recording a .444 hitting percentage with five kills, while setter Kera Dexter (Selah, Wash.) made 10 assists. Outside hitter McKenzie John (Lafayette, La.) and libero Angela Kim (Marlton, N.J.) led Dominican with 16 and 11 digs, respectively.
SCSU 3, Mercy 0
Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they were unable to carry the momentum from their sweep into the second match, as SCSU's intense blocking forced Mercy into a whopping 30 attack errors.
The Owls quickly took control in the first set and the Mavericks could get no closer than within three points at 9-6, with SCSU tacking on six straight points behind four Mavericks attack errors to close things out, 25-12. Mercy tried to turn the tables in the second set, running out to a 6-2 lead but surrendering eight straight points, with five coming via attack errors. The Mavericks managed to claw back to tie the set at 10-10, but shortly after the Owls rattled off an 8-1 run and held on for the 25-16 victory, taking the 2-0 lead in the match. SCSU then exploded for an 11-1 lead to start the third set and, despite a late rally, held off the Mavericks for a 25-16 win and the match victory.
White and senior outside hitter Nicolette Gebhardt (Bloomingburg, N.Y.) led the Mavericks with eight kills apiece as Ronan managed 16 assists. Hopkins' 26 digs again paced the match as both teams staged a series of furious rallies, combining for an incredible 137 digs over just three sets. White added 18 digs and senior libero Kirstie Zubiate (Salinas, Calif.) recorded another 12 for her fourth double-digit game.
Senior outside hitter Lauren McVey (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and senior outside hitter Jade Black (Hudson, Ohio) both posted double-doubles with 12 kills/21 digs and 11 kills/12 digs, respectively. Freshman outside hitter Nicole Hauser (Stevens Point, Wis.) and sophomore setter Taylor Carlson (Centennial, Colo.) made 17 and 13 assists, respectively, while sophomore libero Morgan Carman (Mesa, Ariz.) added 15 digs.
Head Coach Kelly Wengerter and the Mavericks will head across the Tappan Zee Bridge to challenge Nyack College (3-6) on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Please note that this is a schedule change from the original Tuesday date.
