Johnson Records Match-High-Tying 10 Kills to Lead Volleyball to Straight-Set Victory Over Salem International
Box Score DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 8, 2016) – Powered by a match-high-tying ten kills from junior Sa'Naya Johnson (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth), the Mercy College volleyball team earned a 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-21) victory over Salem International University in a non-conference matchup on Saturday afternoon at Victory Gymnasium.
The Mavericks (2-9) snap a three-match losing streak with the win, while the Tigers (2-14) have dropped 12 matches in a row.
Johnson hit an impressive .588 on the day, while sophomore Peyton Olson (Albany, Ore./West Albany) added nine kills and eight digs. Sophomore Brooke Runge (Closter, N.J./Northern Valley Demarest) contributed 25 assists and nine digs and sophomore Brianna Heffernan (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) finished with 14 digs. Senior Andrea Velasco (Whittier, Calif./Rio Hondo College) added six kills and eight digs and sophomore Toni Parente (East Patchogue, N.Y./Bellport) brought up nine digs.
Salem International was led by Rachel Hess who had a match-high-tying ten kills while also adding six digs.
The Mavericks got off to a quick start in the opening set as they jumped out to a 10-2 lead after back-to-back kills by Velasco and Olson. Mercy increased the lead to 17-7 on a kill by junior Danielle Sarasky (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park Memorial) before the Tigers responded with three unanswered to cut the Mavericks lead to 17-10. Mercy would close the set on an 8-4 run to take the first set, 25-14.
The second set saw the visitors get off to a 6-4 lead, but Mercy came back with four straight points to take an 8-6 lead following back-to-back aces from Olson. Salem International fought back and evened up the set at 13-13 before the Mavericks got the lead back and increased it to four, 21-17, following a Runge ace. Mercy finished off the set with four of the next six points to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
The final set saw the two teams go back-and-forth with the Tigers taking a 21-17 lead. Salem International looked to be on their way to forcing a fourth set, but the Mavericks had other plans as they scored the final eight points of the set to seal the victory.
Mercy hit .234 on the day with 38 kills and 48 digs, while Salem International hit .112 with 29 kills and 49 digs.
Head Coach Georgia Efthalitsides and the Mavericks look to make it two wins in a row when they play at Monroe College on Tuesday, October 11th at 7 p.m.
