Army West Point Holds Off Navy in Star Series Match

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Army West Point (9-4, 3-1) volleyball defeated the United States Naval Academy (5-7,1-2) 3-1, to pick up the program’s 50th win over Navy on Saturday night at Wesley A. Brown Field House. This is the first time since 2015 that Army has defeated Navy in Annapolis, Md.

The Cadets’ efforts were led by Paige Fixemer who recorded a season-high of 18 kills along with six digs and four blocks. The sophomore finished the match with a .593 hitting percentage. Savannah Bray followed with her third double-double of the season that was made up of 11 kills and 10 digs. Emmy Barnhorst notched her first match with double-digit kills (10) this season, while also recording two blocks one being a solo.

Army dominated in the first set to lead 13-10 at the first timeout. The Cadets kept their momentum going as they went on a 3-0 run to force Navy into its second timeout. Navy battled back to get within three, but Army did not let them get any closer. Multiple players contributed to Army’s offense in the first set, but it was Bray that threw down the kill that clenched the set, 25-21, for Army. Bray led Army with four kills while Barnhorst and Cate Buckingham each recorded three.

The teams traded points to open the second set each throwing down kills to gain service. Navy’s offense found its groove and took over the lead, 11-8. Fixemer fought to keep Army in the set, finishing with five kills on a .714 clip, but the Midshipmen claimed the second set 25-18 to tie the match up at 1-1.

The Black Knights traded points with Navy to open the third set, before going on a 6-0 run. The Cadets capitalized on Navy’s attacking errors and found their offensive groove. Fixemer fired off two consecutive kills to help get the momentum going for Army during a small run the team went on. Barnhorst and Kai Nickerson joined the attack finishing the set with three kills each. The Cadets claimed the third set 25-17 to reclaim the lead in the match.

Army claimed the lead from the start and never gave it up. The team went on a 5-0 run that was powered by two service aces from Riley Parchment. Navy fought back to make the score 10-6, but the Cadets created another small run off a kill from Barnhorst. Army kept their composure after a few errors and kept its offense alive. The Black Knights took the set 25-18 to win the match 3-1.

“I am incredibly proud of our team for putting on an incredible show here at Navy while it’s [Navy] was loud and energetic. They stayed cool, calm and collected throughout the match. I am very proud of Diana [Ethridge], she helped run a really good offense tonight. Paige [Fixemer] and Emmy [Barnhorst] were phenomenal, everyone played well tonight! I was proud of the way they controlled the game tonight,” said Head coach Alma Kovaci Lee

The Black Knights will welcome Holy Cross to Gillis Field House on Friday, Oct. 1. The match will start at 7 p.m.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email