After a hot start against PSU-Berks, the Hood College women's volleyball team was tripped up by Bridgewater College in the final match to split the day's tri-match.
Set Scores
The Blazers won game one 25-15, 22-25, 26-24, 25-17.
The Eagles won game three 25-16, 25-18, 22-25, 25-12.
In the day's other match, the Eagles defeated the Nittany Lions 25-15, 25-22, 25-10.
Inside the Box Score
Ann Ofoegbu (Falling Waters, W.Va./Spring Mills) finished the afternoon with a team-leading 27 kills as well as seven aces.
Jackie Malitzki (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) accumulated 39 assists on the day.
Ashley Donald (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) ended the tri-match with 44 digs.
Logan Burge (Urbana, Md./Urbana) led the Blazers with seven blocks.
How it Happened – PSU-Berks
The Blazers started the first set well, as multiple kills from
Sami Betley (Bel Air, Md./Mercy) and
MacKenzi Wright (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown) helped the Blazers jump out to a 12-5 lead. Three aces in a row from Wright then sparked a 9-2 run to give Hood a commanding advantage. Despite a late six-point run from PSU-Berks, the Blazers remained calm to take the first set.
The second set saw the Nittany Lions find their footing and jump out to a 4-0 lead courtesy of a couple kills from Katelyn Williams. After the teams exchanged several points, PSU-Berks put together a 7-2 run to take a 14-7 lead. Despite a late run from Hood to get within a point, a kill from Aubrey Hunt would tie the match up at a set apiece.
It looked like PSU-Berks was going to run away with the third set as they jumped out to a 15-5 lead to start it off, but consistent kills from Ofoegbu would help the Blazers get back into it as they brought the deficit to within two. After each team traded a few points, the Blazers had their backs to the wall facing a 24-21 hole but proceeded to score the next five points in a row to steal the set and take the match lead.
With the fourth set tied at 7-7 after both teams traded runs, Hood would score the next six points thanks to a couple kills from Betley and Wright to take a sizable lead. This time, however, the Blazers would keep their foot on the gas, not letting the Nittany Lions get too close as they took the match.
How it Happened – Bridgewater College
After an even start to the first set saw Bridgewater with a slight 8-7 edge, the Eagles would then go on a 7-2 run to take the match's first sizable lead. Despite Hood getting within three points on a 4-1 run of their own, the Eagles maintained their hold en route to a 1-0 match lead.
The Blazers started off the second set in a 10-5 hole but tied it up at 11-11 and then 16-16 as Ofoegbu helped keep them in it. The Eagles, however, would finish the set with a 9-2 run.
Hood took advantage of some early Bridgewater miscues to keep the third set tied 8-8, but the Eagles would score four straight points to take a slight edge. The Blazers were not held off for long though, as back-to-back aces from Donald sparked an 8-1 run and gave them a 22-20 lead. Although the Eagles managed to tie the set at 22, the Blazers would score the next three points, taking the set with an ace from Wright.
Bridgewater took a swift 12-2 lead to start the fourth set, taking advantage of some miscommunication from Hood. The Blazers could not find their footing to mount another comeback however, as a kill from Reagan Stoop would end the match for the Eagles.
Up Next
The Blazers travel to St. Davids, Pa. for a conference matchup against Eastern University Tuesday, October 24 at 7 p.m.
