Mount Volleyball Blanked in Hartford Tri-Match

WEST HARTFORD, CT. – The Mount Saint Mary College women’s volleyball team was blanked in both matches of the University of Hartford tri-match.

Game 1
Mount Saint Mary hit the road for yet another tri-match, looking to get back on track against Hartford in the opening game. The Hawks struck first, scoring the first five points of the match before the Knights got on the board. The Mount responded to cut the deficit to 6-4, but Hartford took control from there, scoring 17 of the next 20 points to pull away and take the opening set, 25-8.

Hartford once again jumped out to an early lead in the second set, taking a 7-2 advantage. Nicolette Pirro sparked the Knights’ offense throughout the match, recording a team-high eight kills. Mount Saint Mary battled back and cut its deficit to just one point late in the set, with the Hawks holding an 18-17 lead. Hartford answered with a 7-1 run to close out the set, 25-18, putting the Knights one set away from a sweep.

The Mount got off to a much stronger start in the third set, jumping out to an 8-5 lead. Hartford responded with a 9-2 run to regain control and build its advantage. The Knights attempted a late comeback, but the Hawks held on to take the third set, 25-19, and complete the 3-0 sweep.

Game 2
The Mount looked to rebound in its second match of the day against Amherst College, getting off to a strong start with a 7-2 lead. The Knights held the advantage for the majority of the opening set, led by Julianna Simone, who finished with a team-high 12 kills. Mount Saint Mary found itself in a strong position at 23-18, but the Mammoths mounted a tremendous comeback, scoring eight of the next nine points to steal the opening set, 26-24.

After opening the second set down 5-1, the Mount responded with a 6-1 run to take the lead. The set remained a back-and-forth battle, with the two teams trading points until Amherst made its move late. Trailing 18-16, the Mammoths scored seven of the next eight points to take a 23-19 advantage. The Knights were unable to recover, dropping the set, 25-20, and moving one set away from being swept for the second straight match.

Amherst continued to control the third set, building a 14-4 lead. The Knights refused to go quietly, however, cutting the deficit to just one point with a 9-1 run. Sofia Fredericks helped lead the comeback effort, finishing the match with 24 assists and nine digs. Mount Saint Mary could not complete the comeback, as Amherst held on for a 25-21 victory in the third set to complete the 3-0 sweep.