University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
4-4
St. Francis College - Brooklyn
2-8
Volleyball Splits a Pair to Begin the St. John's Kaiser Classic
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
QUEENS, N.Y. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team recorded a split in the first day of the St. John's University Kaiser Classic on Friday at Carnesecca Arena. UNH trumped St. Francis College in straight sets while the host Red Storm defeated the Wildcats in three.
New Hampshire stands at a record of 4-5 on the season. Against St. Francis Brooklyn, the set scores were 25-20, 25-13 and 25-19. In the match against St. John's, the line score was 16-25, 21-25 and 19-25.
Sophomore outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) led the 'Cats with a career-high 12 kills and .357 attack percentage in the win against the Terriers. Classmate Keelin Severtson (Delray Beach, Fla.) also recorded a career-high. The setter quarterbacked the offense to hit .271, dishing out 34 assists. Freshman outside hitter Courtney Bowman (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) spearheaded the defensive effort with a personal-best 15 digs while adding seven kills. New Hampshire rattled off seven service aces, one shy of a season high.
Against the Red Storm, junior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) led the way offensively with nine kills. Classmate Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) added eight kills of her own. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) distributed 26 assists. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) anchored the team's defense, accumulating 16 digs and a service ace.
Hitting at a .375 attack percentage in the first set against the Terriers, UNH and SFC opened the match trading the first 14 points. The Terriers managed to carve out a small 12-10 edge in the middle of the frame. New Hampshire responded with an 8-1 surge to lead 18-13. St. Francis Brooklyn narrowed UNH's lead down to 22-19. The 'Cats earned the first match point by grabbing four of the last five exchanges.
St. Francis Brooklyn took the board first in the second frame, but UNH kept pace as the score stood tied at nine. New Hampshire gained a three-point advantage midway through the set, 14-11. A nine-point run paved the way for UNH to take the second set and a 2-0-match lead.
After trading the first two points of the third stanza, UNH never conceded the lead for the remainder the match. The Terriers kept the set close as the Wildcats held a 16-12 edge. UNH strung together five-straight points to open a 21-12 lead. St. Francis Brooklyn tried to storm back, cutting the deficit down to seven at 24-17. However, UNH claimed match point on a service error by the Terriers.
In match two against St. John's, the Red Storm bolted out of the gate to begin the game with an 11-5 lead. The teams battled it out in the middle goings of the frame, both showcasing strong offensive attacks. The home team extended its advantage to nine points at 20-11, forcing a UNH timeout. New Hampshire could not muster a rally late in the frame as St. John's registered set point.
The second stanza saw the two sides contest for the lead early. Trailing 7-6, New Hampshire jetted ahead with a five-point surge to own an 11-7 edge. However, the Red Storm managed to knot the score late in the set at 18. Coming out of a UNH timeout, the teams traded the next four exchanges. The Red Storm gained control of the match with a four-point run. Despite a New Hampshire kill late in the stanza, St. John's captured set two entering intermission.
New Hampshire fought tenaciously to force a fourth frame as eight lead changes and 13 tied scores occurred in the set. Each side exchanged blows as the game was tied at 12 apiece. The Wildcats garnered the next two points to force a timeout from the Red Storm. Behind in the match 14-12, St. John's turned the momentum around and engineered a 5-2 surge. UNH chose to regroup as the Wildcats trailed, 17-16. Coming out of the huddle, the 'Cats clawed back to even the score at 19. However, St. John's seized match point on the strength of a six-point run.
The Wildcats conclude their participation in the St. John's Kaiser Classic against Fresno State University (10 a.m.) and Granite State rival Dartmouth College (3 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 13. New Hampshire hosts Northeastern University for its first home match of the 2014 season Tuesday, Sept. 16 (7 p.m.).
Please visit UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics) and Instagram (@UNHWildcats) for the latest news and information on all 20 varsity sports. For additional information on the UNH volleyball team, like the squad on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHVolleyball) or follow the 'Cats on Twitter and Instagram at @UNHVOLLEYBALL.
