Today: Mar 28, 2024

Volleyball seals victory late against Saint Rose

Edward Rudman Contributor

The women’s volleyball team snapped a three game losing streak after they soundly defeated the visiting College of Saint Rose, sweeping the Golden Knights 3-0 in one of two games they will play this weekend.

Hitter Jennifer Dawson, a graduate student, collected 11 kills and 15 digs on the offensive end. Dawson was also able to record two service aces.

“I think this win gives us a huge boost of confidence; we needed a big win,” said Dawson. “It wasn’t just one of those wins that was handed to us. We really worked for it, and we needed a win like this.”

After going through somewhat of a slump, Dawson said the team’s focus going into the game was to come out with a lot of energy and heart and to stick to the game plan.

The Owls won in straight sets and played hard throughout the game. They won the first set 2516, after they were able to pull away at the end. In the second set, the Owls found themselves trailing 15-11 and it seemed like the Owls were going to drop the set. However, after Southern called a timeout to collect themselves, they were able to end up winning the set 25-19, once again sealing the game in crunch time.

Defensive specialist Anna Venard, a senior, credits the comeback in the second set to the team staying together and relying on each other.

“We’ve been talking about minimizing our own errors,” Venard said. “We were really just trying to get the ball in play and build on our momentum.”

Venard had a solid outing, recording 15 digs while playing the role of floor general out on the court.

Each set for the Owls started off slow, but once they found their rhythm, they were able to string points together in bunches. They won the third set 25-18, once again sealing the victory late.

Other key performances came from outside hitter Ella White, a freshman, who recorded 10 kills and 12 digs, along with setter Tea Carter, a senior, who totaled 37 assists in the win. This is the 10th game that Carter has recorded 30 or more assists and has done so five times in her last six games. On the defensive side of the game, right side hitter Erika Benson, a sophomore, recorded four blocks, tying her career high. This is also the fourth straight game Benson has been able to record three or more blocks.

This win leaves the Owls at 9-9 — 2-2 in NE10 play — as well as 6-3 when they play at home.

The Owls have slightly improved upon their record from last year at this point in the season. During last season the team held a record of 8-10 and this year find themselves 9-9.

“We’re working everyday on improving and getting better, and keep coming together as a team,” head coach Lisa Barbaro said. “We did a great job with our offense today, being able to mix and spread the ball and hopefully we can continue that.”

Photo credit: Will Aliou 

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