WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University (5-9) defeated Saint Joseph's College (4-9), 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-7), in non-conference women's volleyball action on Tuesday evening.
The Judges had to rally several times in the first two sets. In the opening set, SJC took an early 5-1 lead, and the Monks went ahead, 14-7, on a block by Isabel Philbrick (Milford, N.H.). Brandeis senior Stephanie Borr (Westfield, N.J.) stopped the visitors' momentum with a kill. The Judges responded by scoring the next nine points in a row on the serve of sophomore setter Ines Grom-Mansenecal (Cincinnati, Ohio). Another Borr kill made it 16-14 in favor of the Judges, and Brandeis never trailed again in taking it 25-19.
The second set was one of runs and back-and-forth play, featuring 10 ties and six lead changes. Brandeis scored the first three points of the set, but SJC rallied with eight in a row on the serve of Sam Holland (Gilmanton, N.H.). The visitors were still ahead, 10-6, when rookie Lara Verstovsek (Bellaire, Texas) took to the service line following a kill by senior Kaisa Newberg (Reno, Nev.). Verstovsek served eight in a row, including three service aces and three kills by Borr. The Judges were still on top at 17-13, but SJC rallied with five in a row on the serve of Hanna Holden to reclaim an 18-17 lead. The Monks got within two points of winning the set at 23-22. Brandeis answered with two in a row and eventually won five of the last seven points, converting their third set point on an error by SJC by a 27-25 score.
The third set was all Brandeis, as the Judges hit .350 (8 kills, 1 error, 20 attempts), and had two five-point runs early in the set before closing the match on seven-straight points served by senior libero Kaitlyn Oh (Santa Clara, Calif.) to take it 25-7.
LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Sophomore Jordan Ingoldsby (Alton Bay, N.H.) led the Monks with six kills
- Freshman Sierra Burns (Peyton, Colo.) picked up 16 digs
- Junior Hanna Holden (Stoughton, Mass.) added 11 assists and six digs
- Freshman Maggie Sylvester (Barrington, N.H.) delivered four kills and five digs
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's hosts Emmanuel College (11:00 AM) and UMaine-Fort Kent (3:00 PM) on Saturday.
THANKS IN LARGE PART TO BRANDEIS SPORTS INFORMATION