On day two of the Cardinal Quad hosted by SUNY Plattsburgh, the Scots split on the day to move to 12-11 overall on the season, losing in three to St. Lawrence University before coming back to defeat host Plattsburgh with an exciting 3-2 win.
In the day's opener, St. Lawrence set the pace early in game one behind four runs of three points or more en route to the 25-17 finish. Carrying that momentum into game two, the Saints responded to the Scots' game-opening point with a 5-0 run to establish the lead. Though Gordon inched back to make it 10-7 behind a series of kills from five different players, SLU once again took off for six points midway through the game to widen the gap and finished things off with four unanswered tallies to come within a game of the sweep.
In similar fashion to the middle frame, the Saints mounted their case early with a 7-1 run, and though both teams traded points evenly throughout the remainder, the Scots couldn't quite muster the offense they needed to overcome the early deficit, eventually ceding a 25-18 game and 3-0 match loss.
Ashlyn Gergins recorded 22 assists in the effort, while
Jenny Curtiss notched 11 digs and
Mackenzie Hinds upped her season and career dig total by eight.
Determined not to be swept on the weekend, Gordon entered its third and final match with purpose, taking the first two games 25-21 before dropping the next two (25-13, 25-20) to face the fifth and deciding game.
After a kill and a service ace gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead early on, Hinds and Gergins recorded a kill apiece and Gordon rode four consecutive SUNY attack errors to a 6-2 advantage. From there both teams went stride for stride, trading points and equal three-point runs before the Scots' Gergins killed the winning point to secure the overall match victory.
Pacing the five-gamer was Gergins with 42 assists,
Jamie Tafoya with 14 kills, and Hinds and
Hayley Robinson with 17 digs each.
Next up for the Scots is a home non-conference head-to-head with Suffolk University on Monday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
Beyond the Box Score
- Said Head Coach Sue Kelly of the day: "I was very pleased with our final match of the day where everyone contributed. Our three freshmen came up with big plays and gained a lot of confidence to finish the weekend with a win. Our setter, Ashlyn, has done an amazing job running the offense in so many back-to-back matches, and her connection with Mackenzie and Jamie has helped us whenever we need a big kill. The team chemistry this season is wonderful and it makes it fun to watch. We are hoping to play our best volleyball in the next couple weeks."
