By Julian Markese
Sports Editor
The volleyball team is off to a hot start. Their record sits at 9-3 after their 3-0 victory against Dominican University on Sept. 30 and their 3-1 win against Molloy University on Friday, Oct. 3.
The team has already doubled their win total from the previous season.
“We struggled a lot last year with getting our offense going. This year, we’re really getting that offensive production, and we’re also playing really well on defense,” Head Coach Lisa Barbaro said.
Against Dominican, the Owls looked like the better team from the outset. They won the first set 25-11. Outside hitter Dylan Marney, a senior, was the team’s best in service. She finished with 4 aces.
In the second set, the visitors rallied. They sang, gritted their teeth and fought their way to a 25-25 tie. Barbaro called a timeout.
“She told us to execute the plays we talked about, to play our game,” setter Kimi Mitchell, a freshman, said.
The Owls did just that. Libero Sarah Henault, a junior, provided service. The Chargers’ return was expertly placed back over the net and into play for the winning point by outside hitter Victoria Pascual, a junior.
The Owls won the second set 27-25.
They carried momentum into the third set. The university maintained a decent cushion but were met with reasonable resistance at every turn.
Outside hitter Kerrigan Habing, a sophomore, was the most versatile player for the Owls. She displayed an ability to play with both power and control. She is an obvious leader.
Habing finished with 13 kills and seven digs. She was named to the NE10 Conference Faces in the Crowd for Week Four.
“There is a lot of energy this season. We are eager to win,” Habing said.
The team’s steady rotation was ultimately enough to overpower the Chargers. The Owls closed out the third set, 27-25.
Mitchell and Henault finished with 14 and 16 digs respectively.
The team is rounding the proverbial bend of their season. After beating Molloy University, the team is set to begin their NE10 Conference schedule.
“It’s like a whole new season. Even though we’re ahead right now, the conference is what we are really focused on: doing the best we can to try to get to postseason,” Barbaro said.
Barbaro must rely on contributions from all over the floor if she wants to attain the success her and her team covet. It is possible on one condition.
“If everyone does their part,” Mitchell said.
The Owls begin their NE10 schedule at home against Assumption University on Friday, Oct. 10.
