WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL OPENS GNAC PLAY WITH WIN; FALLS TO USM

BOSTON, Mass. - Host Emmanuel College settled for a tri-match split Saturday afternoon by posting a 3-0 win over University of Saint Joseph (CT) before falling to University of Southern Maine, 3-0. In the middle match, the Huskies downed the Blue Jays, 3-1 to sweep the afternoon. The win over USJ was the Great Northeast Athletic Conference opener for both squads.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL OPENS GNAC PLAY WITH WIN; FALLS TO USM
Video Box Score

Team Stats

September 9, 2017

THE BASICS

Score:  Emmanuel, 3, Univ. of Saint Joseph, 0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-22)
            Southern Maine, 3, Univ. of Saint Joseph, 1 (25-16, 25-9, 18-25, 25-11)
            Emmanuel, 0, Southern Maine, 3 (25-23, 25-12, 25-13)

Records: Emmanuel Saints (2-5, 1-0 GNAC); Southern Maine Huskies (5-1); Saint Joseph Blue Jays (1-4, 0-1 GNAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. – Andy Yosinoff Court

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2017

The Lead:  Host Emmanuel College settled for a tri-match split Saturday afternoon by posting a 3-0 win over University of Saint Joseph (CT) before falling to University of Southern Maine, 3-0. In the middle match, the Huskies downed the Blue Jays, 3-1 to sweep the afternoon. The win over USJ was the Great Northeast Athletic Conference opener for both squads.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • The Saints got 18 kills from junior middle hitter Mary Shelow (Miami, Fla.) in the win over USJ while junior setter Carly Church (Higganum, Conn.) dished out 31 helpers
  • USM senior outside hitter Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) was unstoppable in both matches, combining for 39 kills to power the Huskies to a sweep
  • The Blue Jays struggled offensively in the two matches combining to hit just .045 from the floor as a team
  • EC junior Katharine Journeay (Hampton, N.H.) collected 37 digs over the two matches to pace the Saints' defensive unit
  • Saint Joseph sophomore outside hitter Jasmine Buckley (Beacon, N.Y.) paced the Blue Jays with a total of 21 digs and 16 kills over the two matches

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Emmanuel cruised to a 25-14 win in the first set of the day before the Blue Jays battled in sets two and three to keep the action tight before the Saints pulled away for the 3-0 win
  • The Huskies dominated sets one and two of the middle contest before USJ responded with a 25-18 third set win. USM eliminated any chance of a rally with a convincing 25-11 win to take the middle match, 3-1
  • Fresh off the 3-1 win, Southern Maine stayed hot and made quick work of the Saints in the night cap as Williamson slammed home a match-high 22 kills en route to the road victory

UP NEXT

  • The Saints return to action at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Plymouth State University
  • USM also takes the court on Tuesday, heading to Bates College for a 7:00 PM tilt
  • The Blue Jays are idle until Thursday, Sept 14 when they head to Elms College for a 7:00 PM contest