Galloway, NJ – The Montclair State University volleyball team (11-6, 2-2 NJAC) hit the road for a tough NJAC showdown at Stockton (11-4, 2-1 NJAC). The Red Hawks fought hard but ultimately dropped the conference matchup to the Ospreys after a deciding five sets, 3-2 on Tuesday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Montclair hit the ground running, soaring out to a 7-0 lead behind four kills from BRYN BAUTISTA. Stockton crept its way back into the set slowly. At a 10-5 Montclair lead, Stockton went on a 9-5 run that tied the matchup to 14-14. Following a kill from SOFIA DIPROFIO, the Ospreys scored the next six points to push out to a 20-15 advantage. Attack errors from Stockton, as well as a service ace from ALEENA WHITEHEAD and a kill from ISABELLE HAWKINSON, allowed the Red Hawks to climb back and tie the contest at 21-21. Stockton was able to score four of the next five to take set one, 25-22.
- Kills from Hawkinson, Bautista, and LILY THOMAS put Montclair up 5-3 in the early stages of the second set. Both teams traded blows to a 9-5 Montclair lead before Stockton went on a 6-1 run to take an 11-10 lead. Another kill from Thomas sparked the Red Hawks to score six of the next eight points for a 16-13 lead. The Ospreys swung momentum back after facing a 20-16 deficit, when they tied the set, scoring the next four points. After both teams each hammered down a kill, Montclair secured set point, scoring the next three, but Stockton climbed back once again with a trio of points of their own. At 24-24, both teams earned a kill, and the Red Hawks went on to win the set thanks to kills from Hawkinson and BREANNA CRAIG, winning the set 26-24.
- The Ospreys opened up the third set with three points, but were one-upped by the Red Hawks, who notched four in part to kills from Hawkinson, Thomas, and Bautista. After a few lead changes that put Stockton out to a small lead of 6-5, Craig knocked down a kill that ignited a 6-0 run for an 11-6 Red Hawk lead. Montclair was at its most comfortable this set, never allowing Stockton to get to within four points, and they powered ahead for a 25-20 win in set three.
- It looked as if Montclair swung all the momentum over completely, jumping out to a 6-1 lead to open the fourth. That run saw Whitehead tally three service aces. The Ospreys rallied back up and flipped the momentum, scoring six of the next seven to tie the set, 7-7. Following the two teams trading blows, 6-2 run to push out to a 12-9 lead. Montclair battled back with a 7-2 run that gave them a 16-14 lead, which was fronted by two kills from AVA FIEDLER. The momentum shifts continued as Stockton went out in front 19-17 before Montclair scored four of the next five to hold a 21-20 advantage. Errors piled up for Montclair late, and Stockton forced a set five with a 25-22 set four triumph.
- Bautista sent down a kill to open up the frame that was answered by a flurry of Osprey points that put them out to a 3-1 lead. Two kills from Hawkinson tied the deciding set before a 6-1 run by the Ospreys put them out to a comfortable lead of 9-4. Following a trio of Montclair points, went on a 5-1 run to put them within one point of winning the set. The Red Hawks tried to rally, scoring the next three, but the final serve couldn't get over the net, and Stockton survived a hard-fought conference battle.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Despite the loss, Bautista continues to shine for the Red Hawk offense, notching her second 20+ kill performance during conference play with 21. She currently stands at 150 for the season. She also tallied 66 total attacks, which is tied for the fifth most in a single match in program history, and third in a five-set match.
- Montclair also saw double-digit kill performances from Hawkinson (12) and Craig (11). Hawkinson also found seven digs, while Craig was tied for the team lead in blocks with Thomas at four.
- As a team, Montclair amassed 87 digs. At the forefront of that effort was once again Whitehead, who recorded 30 and leads the NJAC with 313 on the season. Also nabbing double-digit kills were LUCY CORNELIUS (12), ERIN SAUNDERS (11), and KASEY TRZASKA (10). Cornelius also dished out a season-high 51 assists in the match.
FROM THE COURT
- "Tonight was certainly a tough one for us. We fought to the end but unfortunately, the result didn't go our way. Bryn had another stellar night with 20+ kills, Lucy with over 50 assists, Aleena with another 30+ dig performance and Lily and Breanna with solid nights offensively. Sofia did a great job with her blocking at the net. Izzy, Ava, and Kasey all contributed in their respective areas. We had big leads in the first set and fourth set that could have sealed the match. We have to work on some details in practice in order to limit the opponent runs and be able to close out matches when the opportunity presents itself. Proud of our effort, it's been two tough 5 set matches in conference on the road that we have been close. This is a tough group, and we will learn from this match in order to move forward." Head Coach Eduardo Stawinski
UP NEXT
- Montclair will look to bounce on Friday, October 9, when it hosts a non-conference slate against Brandies at 6:00 p.m.
