Fredrick, MD – Notre Dame of Maryland's Women's Volleyball Team traveled to Hood College to take part in a tri-match to open the 2024 season. The Gators swept the host in the first match of the day before falling to Penn St. Harrisburg in a nonconference match up by a score of 3-1 to close out the day.
The Gators got off to a fast start in the opening set of their match up with the Blazers, taking a 15-11 lead off a kill by Miasia Ferrer. Hood responded, going on an 8-0 run to take their first lead of the set. NDMU trailed 24-19 and needed to fight off five-straight set points to stay alive. Jade Stewart rose to the occasion slamming down two kills as the Gators rallied back to level the score at 24. The teams traded points until Ferrer hammered back-to-back kills to secure a 30-28 set victory.
NDMU used the momentum from the set on victory to race out to a 14-3 lead in set two. Newcomer Emily Gordon made a major impact in her first game for the Gators, recording four of her five kills in the second set pushing NDMU to a 25-11 set victory. The Gators closed out the win in the third set, using their depth to power to a 25-22 victory. Defensively NDMU was led by Paulina Hernandez, who finished the match with 16 digs.
The Gators dropped the first set in their second match up of the day against Penn St. Harrisburg, but looked to get back on track in the second set. NDMU used four service aces including two by Hernandez to take an 11-2 lead. Kills by Emma Mueller and Gordon pushed the advantage to 14 later in the set. Gordon eventually finished off the set with one more kill, leveling the match at one set a piece. NDMU could not capitalize on the momentum, dropping the next to set to fall to the Lions 3-1.
NDMU was led on offense in game two by Gordon who recorded 12 kills and Ciarra Bockstie who posted 10 kills. Muller posted a team high 14 assists and Hernandez racked up a team high 18 digs.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Gators will host Goucher University in their home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The first serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
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