MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm volleyball team got plenty of reps Sunday at its home tri-match, splitting a pair of five-set-thrillers at Stoutenburgh Gym. The Hawks came from behind to beat Georgian Court University 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-8 before falling to Merrimack College 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 16-25, 8-15.
Sophomore middle Micaela Donatio (North Andover, Mass.) truly shined on the afternoon, setting several season-highs while playing in all 10 sets played. Donatio tallied 20 kills in the two-match slate, including a team-high 11 in the victory over Georgian Court. She also recorded 10 total blocks Sunday—seven coming in the nightcap against Merrimack.
The Hawks shook off a sluggish start against Georgian Court (3-8 overall) to take the first set. However the Lions roared back to take a 2-1 lead, recording 27 of their 52 kills in the second and third stanza.
Entering the must-win fourth set, Saint Anselm (6-5) locked down defensively and held GCU to a negative hit percentage with just eight kills and nine errors. On the service of senior defensive specialist Jenny Doder (St. Louis, Mo.), the Hawks scored the final seven points to tie the match at 2 sets apiece.
Saint Anselm played inspired ball in the fifth set as it hit .500 as a team and racked up two service aces. Sophomore defensive specialist CC Chrisom (Dover, N.H.) was unbeatable in the back row, racking up five incredible saves to keep the play alive. Seniors Shannon Douglas (Rochester, N.H.) and Melissa Ouellet (Salem, N.H.) each scored three kills in the fifth set alone as the Hawks ran away with the 15-8 win.
Entering the tri-match finale against Northeast-10 Conference rival, the intensity—and humidity—was on the rise.
Despite out-hitting and out-digging the Warriors, Merrimack (6-2) pulled away in the first set to take the early match lead. Saint Anselm's Douglas and Donatio led the put away three kills apiece in the second set and freshman outside Kathryn Teets (Dix Hills, N.Y.) notched six kills in the third set alone as the Hawks soared into the lead.
Despite four kills from Donatio in set four, the rest of the hawks struggled to put the ball away, hitting an even .000 with seven kills and seven errors. The Warriors, on the other hand, hit a blistering .414 in the fourth set to swing momentum back in their favor.
The fifth set belonged solely to Merrimack, in particular to NE-10-leading outside Stephanie Sheehan. The senior hitter notched six of her match-high 21 kills in the fifth set alone, including the match-winner to seal the road victory.
The Hawks will return to Northeast-10 Conference action this week, hosting a rematch against Southern New Hampshire University; the Penmen beat Saint Anselm just two weeks ago at the SNHU Fieldhouse in another five set match. First serve Wednesday at Stoutenburgh Gym is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.
