MANCHESTER, N.H. – Three Hawks recorded double-doubles and freshman
Mckenna O'Connell tallied 42 assists as
the Saint Anselm College volleyball team secured their first win of the season in four sets, 3-1, over Felician University at Stoutenburgh Gym on Saturday.
Saint Anselm 3, Felician 1 (26-24, 25-19, 24-26, 25-20)
Highlights
- This was the first time a trio of Hawks recorded double-doubles since a 3-1 win at Pace on October 1, 2022.
- O'Connell recorded 42 assists in the win, the most in a single match for the Hawks since Michelle Henwood '22 recorded 42 on October 18, 2022. O'Connell also recorded 15 digs as she's now recorded double-doubles in back-to-back games to start her collegiate career while tallying three points with two kills and two block assists.
- Junior Hollyn Frano recorded her second consecutive double-double while leading Saint Anselm in scoring for the second straight match, tallying 16 points with 13 kills, 11 digs, three service aces, and an assist.
- After only playing one set in her first collegiate match last night, freshman Addison Shelton was a key contributor today, recording 10 kills, 11 digs, two assists, two service aces, a solo block, and a block assist for 13.5 points.
- Classmate Peyton Elward recorded eight kills with a .278 hit percentage and a team-high five aces and three block assists to score 15.5 points for the Hawks.
- Junior Madeline Burke had her fifth career game with 20+ digs, tallying a game-high 21.
SET 1 | The opener was a back-and-forth battle. The Hawks built an 8–4 lead behind a service ace from sophomore
Taylor Lacerda and a kill by Frano, later extending the margin to 10–5. Felician battled back to tie the frame at 15–15 and later moved ahead 21–19. Saint Anselm regrouped with late kills from Shelton and Frano, before Shelton delivered the set-clincher at 26–24.
SET 2 | Felician jumped out to a 4–1 lead before Saint Anselm steadied itself with back-to-back aces from senior
Skylar Ryan. The Golden Falcons briefly led 13–9, but the Hawks surged back, highlighted by three consecutive service aces from Elward. O'Connell capped the set with a kill to give the Hawks a 25–19 win and a two-set advantage.
SET 3 | Looking to stay alive, Felician raced to an early 3–0 edge, but Saint Anselm countered to lead 19–15 after kills from Elward and junior
Miia Dembski. The Golden Falcons mounted a late rally, tying the set at 21–21 behind an ace and a pair of kills. The Hawks fought off two set points but could not convert, as a Golden Falcon's kill sealed the frame for Felician, 26–24.
SET 4 | The Hawks responded in the fourth, building an 8–2 lead thanks to Frano's serving and early kills at the net. Shelton's ace pushed the margin to 13–4, and Saint Anselm never looked back. Felician drew within four at 17–13, but the Hawks maintained control with timely kills from Shelton and Elward. A late Felician error handed Saint Anselm the 25–20 set win and the match.
Up Next
Saint Anselm volleyball (1-1, 0-0 NE10) will travel to Greenwood, S.C. next weekend, playing four matches in two days at the Redderson Invitational hosted by Lander University. The Hawks will open play on Friday, Sept. 12, at 12:30 against Young Harris University.
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