Camden, NJ – The Montclair State University volleyball team (18-6, 4-2 NJAC) went on the road Tuesday evening to take on Rutgers-Camden (11-11, 2-4 NJAC). The Red Hawks extended their win streak to seven matches, picking up a road sweep against the Scarlet Raptors.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Camden jumped out to a 4-1 lead before a kill from Craig stopped them from extending the lead even further. Kills from LILY THOMAS and SOFIA DIPROFIO cut the lead to within one point, but the Scarlet Raptors were able to compile a 7-2 run to take a 12-6 advantage. DiProfio swung down another kill that ignited a 6-0 run that was led by three service aces from KASEY TRZASKA that tied the match. Rutgers-Camden swung back and took a lead of 19-15. The Red Hawks scored five of the next seven points to get back to within one point. Following the two teams trading points, Camden held a 23-21 lead. Montclair dug deep and flipped the set, scoring the final four points of the set to steal a 25-23 win in set one.
- The early stages saw a seesaw between both programs. Rutgers-Camden jumped out to a 6-5 lead before BRYN BAUTISTA threw down a kill to spark a massive 13-3 swing that gave the Red Hawks a commanding 19-9 advantage. DiProfio led the way with three kills. The Scarlet Raptors scored five of the next seven but were succeeded by the Red Hawks, scoring the final four points of the set to win set two, 25-14.
- Set three began with Rutgers-Camden scoring the first four points. Montclair answered, and while Camden scored the next two points to try and keep a distance, ISABELLE HAWKINSON hammered down a kill to start a 6-0 run that jumped Montclair out in front, 9-6. That run allowed the Red Hawks to keep a good enough distance away from the Scarlet Raptors. Neither team allowed a true run to the opposite side, and it wasn't until a 21-18 Montclair lead that the Red Hawks closed out the match with four unanswered points to win set three, 25-18, and earn its third NJAC sweep of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Leading the way was DiProfio, who posted a team-high 11 kills on 19 attacks, swinging for a .368 percentage. She has been efficient on the attack lately, swinging for over .350 in each of her last three matches and posting double-digit kills in back-to-back matches.
- ALEENA WHITEHEAD controlled the back row again with a team-high 18 digs in the matchup. She has had double-digit digs in all but two matches this season and in each of her last 18 matches. In NJAC play, she is the conference leader in digs with 5.58 per set and 134 on the season so far, which is 32 ahead of the next closest.
- Threes were the lucky number tonight for LUCY CORNELIUS, who finished the night with 33 digs, three digs, three kills, and three service aces. Her assist total was the most she has had in a three-set match this season.
FROM THE COURT
- "Solid win tonight, we had to overcome a slow start in the first set but was able to settle into our game late in that set to pull out the win. Once we stabilized our passing, Lucy was able to run the offense effectively. Rutgers-Camden is always a tough team to play, especially on the road, so it was an important match for us to take care of." Head Coach Eduardo Stawinski
UP NEXT
- Montclair returns home and will honor its four seniors for Senior Day before matching up with Hunter College on Saturday, October 24. First serve is set for 12:00 p.m.
