WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Assumption University volleyball team fell in two tightly contested matches against Monroe University on Saturday afternoon, inside Andrew Laska Gymnasium.
THE BASICS
Score: Monroe University 3, Assumption 1 | Monroe University 3, Assumption 1
Records: Greyhounds (0-7, 0-0 NE10) | Mustangs (3-1, 0-0 CACC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Monroe University 3, Assumption University 1
Assumption and Monroe went back-and-forth throughout an opening set that featured 16 ties and 12 lead changes. The Greyhounds erased a 20-17 deficit behind a Lilyanna Petrocelli kill, a
Makenna Glenn service ace, and a block from
Cate Wettstone and Petrocelli to take a 21-20 lead. After Monroe tied the frame at 23, Petrocelli delivered a kill to give Assumption set point before the Greyhounds closed out the 25-23 victory.
The Greyhounds carried the momentum into the second set, building an early 8-4 advantage behind kills from Wettstone and
Grace Presswood and a
Lila Handrahan service ace. Assumption later stretched its lead to 16-13, but Monroe responded with a 10-1 run to move ahead 23-17. Back-to-back kills from
Kaitlyn Montgomery pulled the Greyhounds within four before Monroe secured the set, 25-19.
Assumption jumped ahead 3-1 in the third behind consecutive
Brooke Bowbliss service aces and later took a 9-8 advantage on a Montgomery kill. Monroe eventually built a 20-13 lead before the Greyhounds answered with a 4-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back Montgomery blocks and a Wettstone service ace, to pull within three. The Mustangs answered down the stretch to take the set, 25-19.
The fourth set was another tightly contested frame, featuring 12 ties and six lead changes. Assumption remained within striking distance throughout and battled to a 23-23 tie late in the set. Monroe scored the final two points to take the frame, 25-23, and secure the 3-1 match decision.
Monroe University 3, Assumption University 1
Assumption opened the match strong, using a
Christine Mbachi service ace and kills from
Kaitlyn Montgomery, Lilyanna Petrocelli and
Brooke Bowbliss to build an 8-5 lead. Monroe answered with an 11-2 run to move ahead 16-10. The Greyhounds battled back late, scoring five straight points behind two Petrocelli kills and a
Makenna Glenn ace to cut the deficit to 24-21, but Monroe secured the final point for a 25-21 win.
The Greyhounds again started quickly in the second set and later erased a 15-10 deficit. Glenn sparked the comeback with a service ace, while Petrocelli,
Cate Wettstone and Montgomery helped Assumption pull even at 18-18. Back-to-back aces from Mbachi then gave the Greyhounds a 19-18 advantage, but Monroe closed the set on a 7-2 run to take it, 25-21.
Assumption dominated the third set, racing out to an 11-3 advantage behind kills from
Marguerita Sharkey, Wettstone, Bowbliss, Montgomery and Petrocelli. The Greyhounds continued to pull away, as Montgomery and Petrocelli powered the attack while Mbachi and
Grace Presswood contributed from the service line. Assumption hit .600 in the frame and closed out the 25-12 victory on a Petrocelli kill to force a fourth set.
The Greyhounds carried the momentum into the fourth, jumping ahead 4-1 behind a
Brooke Bowbliss ace and back-to-back Wettstone kills. The set remained tight throughout, featuring 10 ties and five lead changes. Assumption erased a late deficit with a Petrocelli kill, Bowbliss ace and Presswood kill to take a 24-23 lead, and Petrocelli later gave the Greyhounds another set point at 25-24. Assumption tied the frame once more at 26-26 before Monroe scored the final two points to escape with a 28-26 win and the 3-1 match decision.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Lily Petrocelli had a career-high 19 kills in the second match, as she led the Greyhounds with 31 in the two matches. Cate Wettstone had 18, while Kaitlyn Montgomery added 17.
- Makenna Glenn tallied 32 digs, while Lila Handrahan had 20. Grace Presswood and Brooke Bowbliss totaled 16.
- The Greyhounds tallied 25 blocks against the Mustangs, led by Montgomery's nine. She was followed by Petrocelli's eight, and Wettstone had six.
- Bowbliss established new career-highs in assists, as she had 31 in the first match, before adding 35 in game two.
- Christine Mbachi paved the way with six of Assumption's 23 aces on the day.
- This was the first meeting between the two sides.
UP NEXT
- Assumption vs. Franklin Pierce University, Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 pm
- Monroe at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Thursday, September 10, 7:00 pm.
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