Springfield, MA – The Montclair State volleyball team saw both outcomes in a pair of five-set matches as the Red Hawks split on the final day of the Springfield Invitational on Saturday.
Montclair (1-2) knocked off Keene State 3-2 for its first victory of the year before falling to Skidmore College by the identical score. Sophomore
CARLY WATERMAN totaled 34 kills and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Waterman posted 13 kills with senior
JILLIAN WILSON and
SCHYLER WHITE adding nine and seven respective as MSU downed Keene State 13-25, 25-20, 25-22, 17-25 and 15-11. In the decisive fifth set, Montclair jumped out to a 4-1 lead after
KATELYN MONAGHAN served up an ace. The lead got to 7-2 before the Owls closed the gap to 7-5. The margin would stay close with Keene State getting within 12-11 as Emilyann Ashford put down a kill. White and Wilson went back-to-back for points putting MSU at match point which the Red Hawks would get on an errant attack attempt.
LEAH HIGGINS chipped in with six kills while setter
MEGAN O'ROURKE registered 34 assists along with 11 digs. Waterman hit double digits totaling 18 digs. Freshman
MADDIE VALKO led the way with 25 digs. Monaghan served up four aces along with nine digs.
Against Skidmore, the Red Hawks lost the first two sets 25-22 and 25-15 before the claiming the next two 25-21 and 25-17. MSU trailed 11-9 in the fifth before ripping off three in a row to take the lead. Skidmore countered with the next two points but an attack error knotted the set at 13-13. Katy Ehnstrom put the Thoroughbreds on top with a kill and Skidmore won the match on the next serve.
Waterman had another double-double with 21 kills and 18 digs. Higgins added 17 kills. O'Rourke went for 49 assists and 10 digs. Valko again led MSU in the defensive department with 21 digs.
Montclair is now off until Saturday, September 7 when it makes it 2019 Panzer Athletic Center debut. The Red Hawks will host a tri-match taking on Merchant Marine Academy at 1pm followed by a 5:00 pm contest with in-state rival Stevens.
