WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford volleyball team hosted an Alumni Day tri-match on Saturday, earning a three-set victory over Mount Saint Mary College before falling to Amherst in three sets.
Mount Saint Mary Rapid Recap: (W,3-0(25-8, 25-18, 25-19)):
- The Hawks led Mount Saint Mary throughout the entirety of the first set. Hartford opened play with a 5-0 run, highlighted by three kills from freshman Calla McCombs (Bloomfield, N.Y.). The Knights answered with three straight points, including a service ace from Emily Baron. Hartford responded with a 9-0 run later in the set, capitalizing on four consecutive Mount Saint Mary attack errors to build a 19-6 advantage. Freshman Amara Rhodes (Merced, Calif.) closed out the set with back-to-back kills, both delivered by sophomore Lauren Johnson (Fort Collins, Colo.). The Hawks held the Knights to just eight points, taking the opening set, 25-8.
- Hartford carried its momentum into the second set, opening with a 4-0 run. Senior Jordan Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.) made an immediate impact, recording a block assist alongside Rhodes before following with a service ace. Mount Saint Mary battled back midway through the set, using back-to-back service aces from Julianna Simone to cut Hartford's lead to 13-12. The Hawks responded with a strong stretch of play, led by freshman Aribella Stephens (St. Louis, Mo.) at the service line. Hartford then recorded two consecutive blocks, first from Johnson and Jo. Murphy, followed by a block from junior Rylee Miller (Sunriver, Ore.) and Jo. Murphy. The Hawks closed out the set, 25-18.
- Hartford and Mount Saint Mary battled back and forth early in the third set, with the teams tied at 10-10. The Hawks then began to pull away, using a strong stretch of play to build a 21-14 advantage, highlighted by four kills from McCombs. The Knights attempted to close the gap late, but Hartford answered with a kill from Miller to secure the 25-19 set victory and complete the sweep.
Inside the Numbers
- McCombs led the Hawks with 13 kills and 11 digs while adding one service ace.
- Jo. Murphy delivered career high performance in blocks, finishing with seven and zero errors.
- Rhodes guided the Hartford offense with 29 assists.
- Mount Saint Mary was led by Nicolette Pirro, who recorded eight kills and one service ace.
- Hartford held the advantage in all three major statistical categories, leading the Knights in kills (40-19), digs (36-17), and assists (51-42).
Amherst Rapid Recap (L, 0-3 (25-21, 25-21, 25-19)):
- The Hawks would get going early, taking a 2-0 lead to start the first set, with a pair of kills from freshman McCombs. This would grow into a 7-3 lead for the Hawks as McCombs would continue to rack up the kills. Amherst would eventually work their way back into the set, tying things at eight a piece From here, Amherst would build a lead scoring four straight points. However, the Hawks would mount a comeback of their own, as they would trade blows, until a 15 - 14 lead for the Mammoths would be the outcome, as Ry. Miller would notch a handful of kills for Hartford. Amherst would find momentum late in the first set, and the Hawks would not be able to regain the lead, as Amherst would win the first set 25-21.
- Amherst and Hartford would go back and forth in the early goings of set two, as the game would be knotted at six each Amherst would go on a 3-0 lead, but the Hawks would come right back with a 3-0 lead of their own, spearheaded by McCombs and senior Jo. Murphy to make it 9-9. The back and forth would continue up to a 13 point stalemate, and then again at a 16 point stalemate, as freshman Aribella Stephens (St. Louis, Mo.) would secure back to back service aces. The Mammoths would garner a three point advantage 21-18, and would not look back as they took set two 25-21.
- Amherst would jump out to a 3-0 lead, however the Hawks would come back and square things at four a piece with some kills from Ry. Miller. The Mammoths would come back with a vengeance as they would come back with a 17-10 advantage. Which would turn into a 20-12 lead. In the late stages of the set, The Hawks would show signs of life, as a handful of kills from Jo. Murphy and Ry. Miller would make it into a 24-19. The Mammoths would deal the final blow, and take set three, and the match 25-19.
Inside the Numbers
- McCombs would lead the way for the Hawks, with 16 kills, five digs, a block solo, and two aces. Ry. Miller would end with seven kills, and six digs. Jo. Murphy ended with four kills and two blocks, freshman Amara Rhodes (Merced, Calif.) would end with 25 assists, three service aces, and two digs.
- Amherst would dominate in hitting percentage, with a .247 to Hartford's .084.
- The Hawks would earn nine service aces.
- Amherst would finish with nine total blocks to the Hawks' two.
Up Next:
The Hawks will hit the road into the commonwealth to take on Suffolk University in a CNE matchup on Tuesday, Sep. 29 at 7:00PM.
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