Lady AMCATS Swept in First Tri-Match of the Season
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anna Maria (0-1) | 14 | 19 | 25 | 20 | 1 |
|
Castleton (1-0) | 25 | 25 | 17 | 25 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anna Maria (0-2, 0-0 GNAC) | 19 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 15 | 2 |
|
Green Mountain (1-1, 0-0 NAC) | 25 | 12 | 25 | 22 | 17 | 3 |
GAME ONE: Anna Maria 1, Castleton State 3
In the season-opener for both squads, Castleton came out strong against the AMCATS, taking the first two sets 25-14 and 25-19. The Spartans faltered in the third, dropping it 25-17. The final set was back-and-forth and following three consecutive points, Anna Maria drew even 20-20.
GAME TWO: Anna Maria 2, Green Mountain 3
CASTLETON, Vt. – In a classic seesaw battle in which each team traded leads throughout the entire match, it was Green Mountain College which came away with the narrowest of victories as the Eagles edged by Anna Maria 3-2 in the second match of the day for both teams at the Spartan Athletic Complex.
The two teams split the first two games of the match with both sides winning by a margin of six points or more. Green Mountain (1-1) took the first game 25-19 before watching Anna Maria (0-2) sail to an easy 25-12 win in game two.
The third game witnessed eleven lead changes with no more than two points separating each team until Green Mountain managed to pull away with the final three points of the game thanks in large part to a crucial kill be senior outside hitter Kara Egan and a solo block by junior middle hitter Madison Wage.
The Eagles looked inspired to end the match in four games and even held a six-point lead in the fourth game at 12-6 until the AMCATS stormed back to narrow the gap at 14-13 due to kills from five different contributors. GMC again to a commanding 19-15 lead, but Anna Maria was determined to push the match to a final game 10-3 run to close out the game. Senior middle hitter Kayla Cummings had a well-timed kill and then served up two aces to close out the game.
The AMCATS used the momentum shift to their advantage to start the fifth and deciding game. The team jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead before the Eagles strung together four-straight points to even the score at 6-6. From that point on, the teams traded points and were deadlocked at 15-15 until the Eagles showed enough grit to take the final two points on kills from Egan and Wage and earn their first victory of the season.
The Eagles' Wage led all hitters with 13 kills, followed by sophomore middle hitting teammate Torie Cowell who contributed 10. Egan recorded nine kills and both she and sophomore outside hitter Megan Roy served up a game-high four aces. Freshman libero Celeste Bowers continued to dominate the defensive backcourt with a team-high 23 digs.
Anna Maria was led by senior and sophomore outside hitters Alex Rodriguez and Alyssa Haberman, respectively who both recorded eight kills. Cummings and junior outside hitter Jacqueline Clinton both tallied six kills and Cummings added a two block assists to go with her solo block. Freshman libero Michelle Connolly brought up a game-high 29 digs in an outstanding defensive effort.
Both teams will be in mid-week action this coming week as Green Mountain plays SUNY Cobleskill at home on Wednesday, September 4th at 7 pm, while Anna Maria hosts Mass. Maritime on September 5th also at 7 pm.
