BALTIMORE– The Notre Dame of Maryland women's volleyball team advanced to the United East Skye Division Championship Game by defeating #3 Keystone College by a score of 3-1 on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The Gators rallied to secure the victory thanks to set scores of 23-25, 30-28, 25-13 and 25-22.
The Gators dropped a highly contested opening set that featured multiple lead changes throughout the set. Keystone took the early lead thanks to a 4-1 run to close out the first set. The Giants pulled away midway through the second set and they looked poised to take a two-set advantage, holding a 21-16 lead. The Gators dug in and battled back, with a Ciarra Bockstie kill, sparking a 4-0 run. Bockstie powered the offense throughout the match, finishing with a game-high 16 kills. NDMU had closed the gap, eventually tying the set at 24, creating a win-by-two situation. The Gators fought off five possible set points, surging ahead 29-28 off a well-placed kill by Jade Stewart. The Gators capitalized on a hitting error, winning the set and tying the match at one set apiece.
NDMU used the momentum from the second set, racing out to a 5-2 lead after back-to-back service aces from Stewart. Keystone battled back, tying the match at six. Erin Shaw and Miasia Ferrer slammed down two straight kills to recapture the lead. The Gators took firm control of the set, going on a 7-1 run to take a seven-point lead. Throughout the match, NDMU's defense extended rallies, putting the Gators in a position to pull away from Keystone. Paulina Hernandez put on one of her best performances of the season, recording 33 digs. Stewart also made a major impact adding 25 digs. The Gators built their advantage to as large as 12 points, with Ferrer closing out the set with one final kill.
The Gators had a chance to close out the match in the fourth set. NDMU built another large lead, using a 8-1 run to take a six-point advantage. Shelbey Willson powered the run with several great serves including a service ace. Willson stepped up in a major way, posting the best performance of her career. She finished the match with 22 assists, 10 digs, five kills and three service aces. Natalie Newton shined, recording 20 assists, nine kills and eight digs. Both sides traded runs throughout the closing moments of set, with Gators holding on to a 23-19 lead. Newton closed out the match, smashing two more kills to secure the victory.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Gators have advanced to the United East Skye Division Championship Game where they will travel to face #1 seed Cedar Crest College in a rematch of last season's conference championship game on Thursday, Nov. 9.
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