University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
2-2
Morehead State University
0-4
Volleyball Splits Day One at the Golden Flashes Classic
9/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – The University of New Hampshire volleyball team earned a split in the opening day of the Golden Flashes Classic at the M.A.C. Center on Friday. UNH swept Morehead State University while the University of Evansville toppled the Wildcats in three.
New Hampshire stands at a record of 2-3 on the season. Against Morehead State, the set scores were 26-24, 25-12 and 25-13. In the match against Evansville, the set scores were 25-23, 25-17 and 25-13.
Junior right side hitter Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) led the Wildcats with a match-high nine kills on 16 swings for a .500 attack percentage in the win against the Eagles. Classmate Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) notched seven kills and added six digs. Junior middle blocker Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) recorded a perfect attack percentage with six kills. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) dished out 22 assists to orchestrate the hitters to a .299 clip. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) manned the backcourt, scooping up a team-best 11 digs. Dunklau and Lightfoot each tallied three service aces in the victory.
In the match against the Purple Aces, Buckwalter reached double-digit kills with 10. Junior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) tallied nine kills and a team-high .444 attack percentage. Dunklau paced the squad in assists and digs with 27 and eight respectively.
The Wildcats edged out the Eagles in the first set, 26-24. Buckwalter and Forrest powered the UNH offense with three kills apiece. UNH held a slight advantage over Morehead State to open the set, 6-4. The 'Cats compiled a 5-2 run to create an 11-6 lead. The Eagles used a 5-2 run of their own to pull within a pair of points at 13-11. Coming out of a New Hampshire timeout, the Wildcats retaliated by registering 10 of the next 14 points to build a 23-15 lead. MSU rallied again with seven consecutive points to trail 23-22 late in the stanza. UNH halted the comeback, capitalizing on offensive miscues by the Eagles and claimed the first set.
UNH's offense clicked on all cylinders in the second frame, posting a .556 attack percentage and 25-12 set win. Buckwalter continued to produce for UNH as the right side hitter tallied four kills on six attempts and zero errors. The Wildcats fell behind early in the set, as the Eagles possessed a 6-4 edge. UNH gained control of the lead on an 8-2 run and owned a 12-8 lead. Despite a MSU timeout, the Wildcats kept the Eagles to four points for the remainder of the stanza.
New Hampshire continued its momentum after the intermission, completing the sweep, 25-13. Croci logged a perfect attack percentage in the decisive frame with three kills. The sides contested for the lead early with the 'Cats owning a 4-3 edge. UNH surged ahead, rattling off eight consecutive points to lead, 12-3. The Eagles never regained control of the frame as New Hampshire completed its first three-set triumph of the season.
Evansville edged out UNH in the first set of the second match, 25-23. Buckwalter provided the offense with five kills and one error on eight attempts. The Wildcats jetted out to a 6-1 lead in the opening stanza. The Purple Aces chipped away at the Wildcats' lead, leveling the score at 14 apiece. The sides remained closely contested entering the later portion of the frame. After an Evansville timeout, the Purple Aces garnered three of the last four points in the stanza to take game one.
The Purple Aces took set two by a score of 25-17. Buckwalter again paced the attack with four kills on seven swings and no errors. UNH and Evansville began the frame trading the first 10 points. The Purple Aces compiled a 12-3 run to lead 17-8. Despite a UNH timeout, the 'Cats never regained control of the set as Evansville clinched frame two.
Evansville completed the three-set sweep with a 25-13 score in the decisive frame. New Hampshire began the stanza with a slight 8-7 advantage. The Purple Aces strung together nine straight points to open a 16-8 edge. UNH narrowed the deficit down to five at 17-12. Despite the Wildcats' efforts, the Purple Aces recorded eight of the next 10 points to claim match point.
The Wildcats conclude their participation in the Golden Flashes Classic against host Kent State University on Saturday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m.). New Hampshire welcomes Northeastern University for its first home match of the 2014 season Tuesday, Sept. 16 (7 p.m.).
Check out 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.
