Volleyball Rallies for 3-2 Win against Regis

PAXTON, Mass.—The Anna Maria College volleyball team won their second-straight match on Tuesday evening by rallying from an early deficit to force five games against the Pride of Regis College. With the win, Anna Maria improves to 2-4, while Regis falls to 3-2.

Game scores were 18-25, 25-16, 25-21, 18-25, and 15-10.

HISTORY

With tonight's win, the AMCATS snap a six-game losing streak against the Pride. Last season's meeting between the two schools also went to a fifth set, but Regis was victorious with a 15-7 win in the final stanza.

AMCAT LEADERS

Kills: Freshman Amari King (Lawrence, Mass.) totaled a team-high 12 kills on a .176 hitting percentage to lead the AMCATS to victory. She was trailed closely by senior Jessica Goulet (Lawrence, Mass.) with 11 kills. Sophomore Rebecca Foti (Bedford, N.H.) added nine kills

Assists: Senior Setter Samantha Parker (Athol, Mass.) dished out a game-high 30 assists in addition to adding five kills of her own.

Digs: Freshman Carolina Garcia (Springfield, Mass.) totaled a match-high 20 digs to pace the AMCAT defense. Parker added 15 digs, while King chipped in with 11.

Blocks:  Goulet aided the defense with a team-best five blocks. Telliah Bursie (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) chipped in with four, while King finished with three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pride came out strong and won the first point. From there, they never relinquished the lead in game one. The AMCATS would hang close, but Regis held on for the 25-18 win. The tides turned in the second game, as Anna Maria dominated from the opening point, as Demi Carrero (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) rattled served for quick points.

Things got competitive in the third set, as the set saw three lead changes and six deadlocked scores. The final tie came at 21-21 on a kill by Regis's Kaley Schulte. Bursie responded with a kill to give the AMCATS back the serve, and Kerri Earle (Bethel, Conn.) stepped in the serve three-straight points, including an ace for point 25.

Regis again took control in game four and never let the AMCATS come close, holding the hosts to just six kills while exploding for 14 of their own to force a fifth set.

The finale was back-and-forth from the opening point; the set saw three lead changes and six ties. Following the midpoint court switch, the AMCATS took control, first capitalizing on a Regis service error to tie the score at 8-8, followed by a power-block by Goulet and Parker to take the lead. Anna Maria would not trail from there, rattling of six more points to claim the win.  

REGIS LEADERS

Sydney Trusty tallied a match-high 17 kills and 12 digs for Regis, who held a 51-44 advantage in kills over Anna Maria. Graciella Molinari added 10 kills and 10 digs for the double-double. Emma Morales had a team-best 16 digs, while Shay Faber edged Haleey Shulte in assists, 13-12.

WHAT'S NEXT

Anna Maria returns to action on Thursday when they travel to Newbury College for a 7:00 p.m. non-conference match. The team will also travel to Mount Holyoke on Saturday for a tri-match with the Lyons and UMass Dartmouth.