Lady Bears Down Cannoneers in Five Sets
BROOKLYN, NY - The St. Joseph's College women's volleyball team picked up their third victory of the season Tuesday night, thanks in part to career games from junior outside hitter Kim Matthews (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney) and senior setter Melissa Simo (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood). The Lady Bears disposed of the Pratt Cannoneers in five sets, 22-25, 25-10, 25-22, 18-25, 15-11.
With the win, the Lady Bears improve to 3-8 (1-1 HVWAC), while Pratt loses its first match of the year and drops to 1-1 (0-1 HVWAC).
St. Joseph's' dropped a wild first set that saw 11 ties and five lead changes. The set was tied as late as 17-17 before Pratt was able to put the Lady Bears away by going on a 8-5 run. Neither team had more than a three point advantage until Pratt scored four straight points to take a 21-17 lead. Alison Main (Capay, CA/Esparto HS) had nine digs and two kills to lead the Cannoneers in the set. St. Joseph's spread the ball around well with five of the six starters getting at least two kills.
The second set was much more one sided, as the Lady Bears took control early and didn't look back. Jumping out to a quick 10-4 lead, St. Joseph's was able to cruise to take the set 25-10. Similar to the first set, the Lady Bears played great team volleyball with four girls getting at least two digs and three girls at least two kills.
St. Joseph's seemed to lose any momentum they had from the second set, as Pratt put them in an early 10-4 hole. However, the Lady Bears fought back to tie the game 14-14 thanks to three kills from freshman Megan Moran (Syosset, NY/St. Dominic's). The game remained within one point until St. Josephs was able to go on a 6-3 run to close and steal the set 25-22. Moran and Matthews each finished the set with four kills.
The Lady Bears had a chance to put the Cannoneers away in the fourth set, but were unable to do so as they were upended 25-18. The game was tight until Pratt went on a 9-0 to go up 20-11. Erin Johnson had three service aces in the run to force a fifth set.
In the fifth and final set, the Lady Bears scored first and never relinquished the lead. They survived a late 7-2 Pratt run to hold on for a 15-11 victory. Matthews stepped up big when it mattered most, connecting on seven of her match-high 18 kills to put the Cannoneers away.
The win is St. Joseph's first five-set victory since defeating Ramapo on Sep. 18, 2007, ending a six game skid in deciding set matches.
Matthews' 18 kills was the most by a Lady Bear since 2007. She also collected 16 digs to pick up her second double-double of the season. Simo led the match setting a career-high 38 assists. She also notched 15 digs, four kills and a block for her first career double-double. Senior Yliane Ulloa (Queens, NY/Midwood) rounded out three Lady Bears with double-double performances with 18 digs and ten kills.
For the Cannoneers, Main led the defense with a match-high 26 digs. She also registered seven kills and two service aces. Taking over in the middle of the match of as the Cannoneer's setter, Ann Medhurst (Aurora, OH/Aurora HS) did a solid job racking up 16 assists while also recording nine digs and two kills.
The Lady Bears look to add to their winning streak as they travel to Mount Saint Vincent to take on Mount Saint Vincent and Ramapo in a tri-match on Saturday, October 2nd. First serve is set for noon.