Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University volleyball team (15-6, 3-2 NJAC) hosted a tough NJAC showdown on Tuesday night against William Paterson (12-8, 3-2 NJAC), where they earned a big NJAC sweep to keep themselves in the upper half of the NJAC standings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Bautista got the opening frame kicked off with a kill and assisted a block with BREANNA CRAIG. William Paterson responded with five of the next six points to take a 5-3 edge. They didn't hold a lead for long, however, as another kill from Bautista ignited a 7-1 run to put the Red Hawks up 10-6. The two teams traded a few points before ISABELLE HAWKINSON got in on the action with a kill that led to a 9-2 swing that jumped Montclair out in front 20-10. William Paterson cut into the lead a bit, but Montclair eventually came away with a 25-16 win in set one.
- The Pioneers garnered the early advantage, holding leads of 4-1 and 8-4 early. Bautista and LILY THOMAS each collected a kill and combined on a block to inch Montclair to within a point at 9-8. The Pioneers distanced themselves with five straight points, but Montclair never gave up and scored seven of the next nine points to keep themselves within one point. Following a bad Red Hawk set, Thomas hammered down a kill that kick-started a 6-0 run for a 23-19 Montclair advantage. WPU scored three of the next four to get within two, but SOFIA DIPROFIO iced the set with a kill and set Montclair up for the sweep in set three.
- Set three saw the Pioneers with an early lead again, this time of 6-2. The Red Hawks used a kill from Craig to swing the momentum with a 10-2 run that pushed Montclair out to a 12-9 lead. The Red Hawks were able to keep the Pioneers at bay, never allowing them to take the lead the rest of the set. At a 17-16 Montclair lead, DiProfio sparked a 6-1 run that gave them a 23-17 edge and all the momentum. The two teams traded blows, with Craig sending down the match-clinching kill, and Montclair came away with a huge conference sweep.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The block was a heavy presence for Montclair tonight, seeing nine blocks with 18 assisted blocks. Leading the way for them was Thomas, whose six total blocks landed her in the record books, tied for sixth in a single three-set match.
- Bautista continues to shine on both ends of the court, collecting her eighth double-double. She led the team in kills with 11 and mirrored that with 11 digs. Bryn also added two blocks and two service aces to her total.
- LUCY CORNELIUS dished out 31 assists in the match to go along with eight digs.
- Montclair stopped a four-game skid they had against William Paterson.
FROM THE COURT
- "Tonight was a fantastic performance for us on all aspects of the game. Our block did a great job tonight, blocking for points and channeling the ball to our defenders. Lucy ran a great balanced game and spread the ball to all our hitters. We stayed present throughout the match, focusing on one point at a time. Proud of the team, execution, and the way we played together.
UP NEXT
- Montclair will head to Annville, Pa for a tri-match on Saturday, October 17. They will face Albright at 2:00 p.m. and the host, Lebanon Valley, at 4:00 p.m.
