Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University volleyball team (9-5) hosted its second consecutive Saturday tri-match, this time welcoming Nazareth (2-9) and Misericordia (7-4). The Red Hawks opened the day with a 3-0 sweep of Nazareth before seeing their comeback bid fall just short in a 3-2 setback against the Cougars.
VS. NAZARETH
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A kill from SOFIA DIPROFIO and a service ace from Aleen Whitehead kicked off the opening frame for Montclair. Nazareth responded with four unanswered points before kills from DiProfio and BREANNA CRAIG sparked a 5-1 swing that gave the Red Hawks a 7-5 lead. After three straight points from the Golden Flyers, Montclair went on its best run of the set, scoring eight unanswered to take a 15-8 advantage. A pair of Nazareth points was answered by four straight from Montclair, which pushed the lead to 19-10. The Golden Flyers did not go away quietly, putting together a 5-1 run to trim the deficit to 20-15. The teams traded points down the stretch before BRYN BAUTISTA hammered down the final kill to secure the opening set, 25-19.
- Four different Red Hawks recorded kills early in the second set as Montclair jumped out to a 5-3 advantage. Following a service error, the Red Hawks won eight of the next nine points to build a commanding 13-5 lead. The run showcased Montclair's balance, with five different players recording a kill. Nazareth battled back and gradually chipped away at the deficit, eventually pulling within two at 24-22. The comeback attempt ended there, however, as ISABELLE HAWKINSON delivered the set-clinching kill to give Montclair a 2-0 advantage.
- The two teams traded points early in the third set, with Montclair holding a 4-3 edge before a Hawkinson kill sparked a 6-0 run that stretched the lead to 10-3. The Golden Flyers answered with five straight points, but the Red Hawks regained momentum by taking seven of the next eight for a 17-9 advantage. Nazareth once again cut into the lead, winning six of the next eight rallies, before Montclair responded with five unanswered points to reach match point at 24-15. The Golden Flyers attempted one final rally, but Craig ended the match with a kill to clinch the sweep.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Montclair recorded its highest kill total in a three-set match this season with 39. DiProfio led the way with 10 kills, marking her first double-digit kill performance of the season.
- The Red Hawks improved to 3-1 at home this season. Montclair has been dominant on its home court since the beginning of 2024, compiling a 31-5 record.
- LUCY CORNELIUS orchestrated the offense with 28 assists, while Whitehead anchored the back row with 17 digs.
VS. MISERICORDIA
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cougars controlled the early stages of the opening set and built a 7-4 lead. They maintained a slight advantage until Bautista tallied a kill at 11-9 that sparked a 4-1 run and moved Montclair in front, 13-12. After a lead change and three tied scores, a bad set and an attack error by Misericordia put the Red Hawks back ahead, 18-16. The teams exchanged two points apiece before the Cougars delivered three consecutive kills to take a 21-20 edge. AVA FIEDLER answered with three straight kills of her own to move Montclair within two points of the set. Misericordia responded, however, scoring the final four points to take the opener, 25-23.
- A kill from LILY THOMAS and two service aces from Bautista gave Montclair an early 3-2 lead in the second set before Misericordia answered with four straight points for a 6-3 advantage. The back-and-forth theme continued, as the Red Hawks responded to an 8-4 deficit with seven unanswered points behind three kills from Fiedler and two from Craig to take an 11-8 lead. Misericordia answered with three straight to tie the set, and the teams continued to trade momentum. The Cougars eventually moved ahead, 18-15, before a Thomas kill and two Whitehead service aces helped Montclair pull even once again. Misericordia controlled the closing stretch, scoring seven of the final nine points to take the second set, 25-20.
- Thomas and DiProfio combined on blocks during each of the first two rallies of the third set. Following three points from the Cougars, the Red Hawks found their rhythm offensively, using three kills from Craig along with contributions from Thomas and Bautista to build a 13-6 lead. Misericordia responded emphatically with an 11-1 run that flipped the score to 18-14. Montclair slowly worked its way back and eventually tied the set at 19-19. Three lead changes and four tied scores followed to bring the set to 23-23. Hawkinson then delivered a crucial kill before Whitehead finished the set with a service ace, giving Montclair a 25-23 win and forcing a fourth set.
- Montclair carried the momentum into the fourth and raced out to a 7-2 lead. The Red Hawks maintained control and held a 17-11 advantage before Misericordia responded with a 10-2 run to move ahead, 21-19. The Cougars appeared poised to close out the match with a 23-20 lead, but Montclair refused to go away. A Thomas kill, two service aces from ADDI SYMONS and several Misericordia errors fueled a 5-0 closing run, giving the Red Hawks a 25-23 victory and forcing a deciding fifth set.
- Bautista and Craig opened the scoring in the fifth set with a kill and a service ace, respectively. Misericordia answered by winning seven of the next nine rallies to move ahead, 7-4. Facing a 9-7 deficit, the Red Hawks responded with four unanswered points to take an 11-9 lead. After another back-and-forth stretch, consecutive Bautista kills gave Montclair match point at 14-12. A service error and a Misericordia ace tied the set at 14-14. Errors proved costly for the Red Hawks late, as three attack errors down the stretch allowed the Cougars to escape with the five-set victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Bautista recorded her fifth double-double in the last seven matches, leading the team with 13 kills while adding 14 digs and a season-high three service aces.
- Symons stepped up to run the offense, finishing with 33 assists while adding nine digs and three service aces.
- Fiedler also reached double figures offensively, tallying 11 kills. It marked her sixth double-digit kill performance in the last nine matches.
FROM THE COURT
- "Today was a tough challenge for us. I thought we did a good job in the first match, keeping our composure and being able to close sets. Both Nazareth and Misericordia put pressure on us that forced us into a lot of unforced errors on our end. I was proud of our fight in the last match to force a fifth set. Addy did a great job coming in and running the offense. We ended up hurting ourselves with the errors and giving up big runs that we just couldn't overcome. This is a learning opportunity for our team, especially with two big conference matches this week." — Head Coach Eduardo Stawinski
UP NEXT
- Montclair hits the road for its first-ever NJAC matchup at SUNY New Paltz on Tuesday, September 29. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
