LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.– The Merrimack College women’s volleyball team advances to the second round of the MAAC tournament after a nail biting fifth set victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles. The Warriors had massive double-doubles from Sophia DeBonis and Mckenna Shotwell to edge out the conference foe.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack: 3, Niagara: 2
Records: Merrimack (9-20, 8-10), Niagara (15-15, 11-8)
How It Happened
The Warriors opened the first set poised to conquer, extending an early 3 point lead on the Purple Eagles. Niagara responded with three straight points to tie the score at 8. The rivals to the west notched three more points to take a brief two point advantage however, the Warriors remained persistent, tallying three consecutive points to reclaim the lead. Niagara ignited a 4-1 run which put the Warriors down by two. Mckenna Shotwell hammered a kill to commence a thrilling 6-1 set to extend their largest lead of the set. Niagara remained competitive with the score tied at 22, then 24, and again at 25. Merrimack was able to register the final two points after a kill from Hannah Webber and a Purple Eagles attack error.
Niagara caught the early advantage in the second set, however the Warriors adjusted quickly with a dominant 6-1 run featuring kills from Julz Carlat, and Shotwell, and a service ace from Lilly Konrad. Merrimack commanded the court for majority of the set as Libero Lauryn Mattiucci notched one kill and Lilly Konrad paced all Warriors serving during a huge 5-1…
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