Center Valley, Pa. – The Montclair State University volleyball team (17-6, 6-1 NJAC) extended their win streak to nine-straight victories when they notched two wins at their tri-match at DeSales, (9-15) defeating Hunter, 3-0 and the host Bulldogs 3-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS HUNTER

• Hunter jumped out to a 5-2 lead early in set one and kept Montclair at bay for the most of the set. They only allowed the Red Hawks to tie the set up at 8-8 and 13-13 before going on a 5-1 run to take an 18-14 advantage. It wasn't until the score reached 20-15 in favor of Hunter was when Montclair was able to flip the set in their favor for the first time with six unanswered points to take a 21-20 lead. That run was sparked by SOFIA DIPROFIO, who collected two kills and a block while EMILY CARCICH delivered a service ace. That last run was what the team needed to have the slight advantage and a kill from RACHEL CURRAN and three kills from CAMRYN MUUSS helped the Red Hawks take set one, 25-23.
• It was the Red Hawks who started hot this time with a 5-2 lead early. Blocks from DiProfio and SARAH CAPONE and kills from Curran and Muuss helped them jump out early. Hunter tried to cut the deficit and did with a 6-4 score, but a 5-1 run for Montclair kept them at a comfortable 11-5 run. The run was paced by a Muuss service ace, kills from LILY THOMAS and Curran and blocks from Thomas and Carcich. The two teams battled to an 18-15 MSU lead before the Red Hawks went on a final 6-2 run to take the set 25-17. Capone sealed the set with a kill.
• It was a competitive start to the third set that saw six lead changes and eight tied scores. After an 11-11 stalemate, Hunter took three straight for a 14-11 lead. Montclair responded with seven unanswered points for an 18-14 lead. That run saw three Curran service aces, two Muuss kills, a kill and a block from DiProfio and a block from Capone. The Hawks did not surrender however, flipping the game in their favor after the Red Hawks jumped out to a 20-17 lead to Hunter to take a 21-20 lead. The two teams battled to a 23-23 tie and it was Montclair who capped off the win with a kill from Curran and an attack error that completed the straight-set victory.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. DESALES

• It was a back-and-forth beginning set that saw five tied scores a three lead changes up to a MSU 6-5 lead. DeSales scored three-straight points that brought the score to 8-6 in their favor. The Red Hawks battled back to an 11-10 deficit, but a 5-1 run halted their comeback and gave the Bulldogs a 16-11 lead. A trio of points from Muuss coming off a kill and two service aces cut the lead to 16-13, but a duo of points once again kept the set at bay and DeSales did not relinquish the lead the rest of the way and eventually took a 25-21 set-one win
• DeSales had the early advantage in set two, jumping out to 4-1 and 6-3 leads. Three unanswered from the Red Hawks was answered by five from the Bulldogs and gave them an 11-6 lead. It wasn't until a 13-9 lead for DeSales is when Montclair truly pushed the lead, when they scored four straight to tie the contest at 13 apiece. Two kills from Capone and a service ace from Carcich nodded the contest. DeSales once again jumped out in front when they held a 17-15 edge, but the set was flipped into Montclair's control when they notched five unanswered points to take a 20-17 lead. Two kills from Capone, a kill and a block from Thomas and a block by Muuss helped flip the momentum, but it did not last long was the Red Hawks were outscored, 7-3 down the stretch and fell down two sets after DeSales took a 25-23 set-two win.
• Backs against the wall, Montclair put together a massive 10-1 start to show they were not done yet. EMILY FERRI, DiProfio, Muuus, and Capone all collected kills to spark the big start. DeSales was never truly able to recover after falling behind by that much early. The closest they got was when they were down 22-15 and climbed back to a 22-19 score, but that run was halted by a kill from Curran. Both teams exchanged points down the stretch and DiProfio knocked down the final kill of the set to keep Montclair alive and take set three, 25-21.
• The Bulldogs jumped out early with a 5-3 lead and fought hard to keep the Red Hawks at bay. They held a 12-9 edge before Montclair flipped the set in their favor with six unanswered points to take a 15-12 advantage. That run was highlighted by two kills from Curran and one from Thomas. DeSales was never able to retake the lead after that as Montclair answered everything they threw at them and it was Montclair that forced a fifth set with a score of 25-23.
• Set five started off with the Bulldogs kickstarting a 5-3 lead, but the Red Hawks nodded the contest with a bad set from DeSales and a Thomas kill. The lead changed twice and saw a tied score three times up to an 8-8 scored. The Red Hawks rattled off four-straight points and took a 12-8 lead with three of the four points coming off kills from Curran. The Red Hawks only needed a point with a 14-9 lead, but the Bulldogs scored three straight for a 14-12 lead to keep the pressure on. DiProfio delivered the final blow with a kill and completed the reverse sweep for the Red Hawks' second win of the day.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Montclair moved continues to have a strong late-season push, winning nine straight which is the most wins in a row since 2021, when they won 13 in a row which is tied for the longest winning streak in program history.
• Muus continues to shine in her rookie season for the Red Hawks. She totaled 12 kills against Hunter and 16 against DeSales while also notching a season-high three service aces in the DeSales match.
• DiProfio also had a career-high today when she reached the double-digit kill mark for the first time with 12 kills against DeSales.
• Defensively the day was led by KATIE RODMAN, who led both matches in digs. She posted nine against Hunter and had a season-high 29 in the DeSales showdown.

FROM THE COURT

•  "We did a good job in the first match against Hunter to kick start the day. Our serve receive was great and our offense was clicking with just 9 attack errors on the match. The desales match was a bit different as we struggled early on serve receive and defense and our offense just wasn't there. It was great for us to be challenged early on and we slowly settled into our game. Good trip to PA and now a much needed break until next weekend." Head Coach Eduardo Stawinski

UP NEXT

Montclair State will host their next tri-match when they welcome Brooklyn for a an 11:00am slate and Mount Saint Vincent for a 2:00pm matchup.