BALTIMORE – The Notre Dame (Md.) volleyball team improved to (4-6) after an action-packed back and forth showdown at MBK Sports Complex on Thursday evening against Penn State York (6-3). The Gators ran away with the first set and had an answer for nearly everything the Nittany Lions tried to do on both ends en route to the 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 11-25, 25-23). With the fourth set tied 21-21, sophomore
Paulina Hernandez spiked home two huge points to give Notre Dame (Md.) its fourth win of the year.
"We adjusted to their hitters pretty well early and I think our hustle and effort gave them some trouble," Head Coach
Henry DeTitta said. "They picked up their game as well. Game 3 was a down game for us and they certainly took advantage. But game 4 was hard-fought and the girls showed a no-quit attitude, they just didn't panic. Lots of good plays and players down the stretch finding ways to make plays but
Paulina Hernandez really sparked us in that last game with a big hit down the line that really seemed to fire up the whole arena."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Natalie Newton propelled the Gators to a 25-15 set win behind nine assists to start the evening. She went on to finish the evening with a team-high 23 assists.
- In the first set, Hernandez compiled four kills and was matched by Jade Stewart.
- After another set-piece from Newton, Stewart went on to score the set point in a dramatic fashion.
- The Nittany Lions who came in riding a four-game win streak took the fight to the Gators in the second set but strong play from Gabbi Taganas and a killer from Hernandez sealed the second set for NDMU.
- Hernandez posted a match-high of 13 kills.
OF NOTE
- Five Gators accounted for at least six kills. Taganas tailed eight kills, followed by Emma Mueller with seven, and Ciarra Bockstie and Stewart added six each.
- On the defensive end, Stewart led all Gators with 19 digs with Hernandez (18) just one behind the team lead.
- Mueller was responsible for 12 assists, two service aces, and 15 digs on the evening.
- Angel Carino added 16 digs and now leads the Gators with 137 on the season.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame (Md.) will spend the weekend in Pennsylvania for a Tri-Match against Arcadia University at Noon and Gwynedd Mercy University at 2 pm. Watch on the Gators Network and follow live stats at Notredamegators.com.
