Westminster, MD- The Notre Dame of Maryland Women's Volleyball Team took part in the McDaniel Invitational, falling to McDaniel College 3-0 on Friday, Sept. 13. The Gators then split two matchups on Saturday, Sept. 14, falling to Mount Aloysius 3-0 before regrouping and sweeping SUNY Cobleskill.
 
The Gators got off to a strong in their matchup with McDaniel College, building a 10-5 lead in the first set. The Green Terror chipped away at the deficit, winning the final three points to rally back and take the set 25-23. McDaniel capitalized on the momentum pulling away early in the second set. Ciarra Bockstie reached an individual, recording her 500^th career kill during the set. The Green Terror took the set 25-12. NDMU once again trailed in the third set, fighting back to level the set at 23, before falling 25-23. 
 
NDMU was led in kills by Emma Mueller who registered seven. She also led the team in assists with 11. Paulina Hernandez continued to be a consistent presence on defense finishing the match with 15 digs. 
 
The Gators once again looked strong in the opening set of their matchup with Mount Aloysius, using three kills from Emily Gordon to take a 15-11 lead. The match would be tied at 23 and the Mounties won the final two points to win the set 25-23. Mount Aloysius used a 9-1 run early in the second set to take a 16-7 lead. The Gators could not recapture the momentum, falling 25-11. NDMU used an 8-1 run in the third set to level the score at 18. The Mounties halted any further comeback attempt, winning the set 25-20.
 
NDMU was led in kills by Gordon and Bockstie who each recorded five kills. Mueller once again led the team in assists with 11 and Hernandez posted a team-high eight digs. 
 
The Gators sprinted ahead in the final matchup of the invitational, taking a 12-5 lead after a kil by Gwen Abnett. Gordon and Bockstie combined for a series of kills to push the advantage to 21-8. NDMU cruised to a 25-10 opening set victory. NDMU once again pulled ahead early in the second set with Hernandez registering three service aces to start the set. The Fighting Tigers chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the set at 20. The teams traded points with the set eventually being tied at 28. After a Cobleskill attack error, Miasia Ferrer and Bockstie came away with a huge block to secure the 30-28 set victory. NDMU wanted to close out the match in the third set, racing out to a 11-4 lead. Three kills by Ferrer and two service aces by Izzy Stewart pushed the lead to 11 points. The Gators remained in control with a kill by Abnett closing out a 25-13 set victory. 
 
NDMU got strong offense performances from Ferrer and Gordon who each posted 13 kills. Natalie Newton led the way in assists, recording 20 and Mueller added 17. Hernandez reached double-digits in digs, finishing with 12. 
 
WHO'S NEXT 
The Gators will have a couple of days off before hosting Penn St. York on Saturday, Sept. 21. The match is scheduled for 1:00 PM. 

STAY CONNECTED 
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