Luke Gadson – Sports Editor
The Owls battled for four competitive sets in a 3-1 victory over Assumption University at Pelz gymnasium Friday evening. This is the university’s second win against the Greyhounds this season, as the Owls defeated them in a non-conference matchup earlier this season.
This time around in a conference game, the stakes were higher for both teams. The Owls stepped up to the challenge to give them their first conference win of the season.
Each set was close in margin, with the scores reading 25-21, 28-26, 25-16 and 25-23. The Owls only lost the second set. With the university losing a set, the momentum was shifting back and forth throughout this match. The Owls were rolling on all cylinders, topping the Greyhounds in points 71-49, kills 48-38, blocks 15-4, assists 42-32, and aces 8-7.
Outside hitter Sara Enright, a senior, is second in the NE10 in kills, and she continued her impressive season, leading her team to victory with nine kills, five blocks, two assists and an ace. Outside hitter Carissa Michel, a freshman, put together 13 kills and three aces in the victory.
Setter Lily Miller, a junior, was a force in Friday’s win, tallying 13 assists and 11 digs. Setter Taylor Jones, a senior, also put up an outstanding 24 assists in the win.
Winning this game was huge for the Owls and gave them momentum as they proceed further into conference play.
“We feel really good since this is our first conference win, and it was a home game as well,” said Michel. “This showed us that we need to come out strong: all gas, no brakes, no matter what. Just stand on business regardless, and if you lose a match, move on.”
This win also gives the Owls an abundance of confidence, with thoughts of an NE10 championship in the back of their minds. “Today we had positive communication and a really good, positive attitude,” said Libero Aubrey Villena, a sophomore. “If we keep up this rate, this energy of improving, then we can go all the way.”
The Owls improved their home record to 8-2 and their overall record to 10-8 with this win. This is also their first conference win and sets them up nicely for NE10 standings with a conference record of 1-1. The Owls look to record another conference win when they face Saint Rose on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
