The Fighting Scots traveled to Rhode Island to face the No. 4 Seeded Roger Williams Hawks in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Quarterfinal action in a rowdy Recreation Center Gymnasium and battled to a 3-0 defeat from the overpowering Hawk offense to conclude their season with a record of 16-13 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
The beginning of the first set saw both team take an early two-point lead over the first few points. With the game tied at six apiece, Roger Williams rolled off five straight points, forcing Gordon to call a timeout. After the break, both teams traded points, but the Hawks would eventually take a 20-10 lead en route to the 25-15 win. Gordon jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the second set before the Hawks tied things up at four. From there, Roger Williams used another 5-0 run similar to the first set, which caused Gordon to take another timeout. However, this time after the timeout, Gordon climbed back into the match, using a 6-2 run to pull within one (10-11). Roger Williams would answer with an 8-1 run over their own, going up by eight. The Fighting Scots pulled within five late in the set, but RWU claimed the game 25-19 for a 2-0 lead. In the final set, both teams combined for nine ties and three lead changes. The score volleyed back and forth early on in the set with neither team quite able to pull away. RWU scored three straight halfway into the game for a 13-10 lead, but then used another 5-0 run to take an 18-12 lead. Gordon made one late push to come back within four (19-23) but RWU closed out the set 25-19 to make their way into the CCC Quarterfinals.
Maddie Neuberger (Remsenburg, N.Y.) and Molly Quilty (Duxbury, Mass.) finished with ten kills apiece, with Quilty adding three block assists. Nicki Fallisi (Salem, N.H.) had six kills and two solo blocks, while Julia Fields (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) handed out 35 assists with seven digs.
Mackenzie Hinds led Gordon with seven kills while Jenny Curtiss had a match-high 13 digs. Ashley Gergins finished with 21 assists, while Amanda Synder had six kills, two aces, and six digs.
With the win, Roger Williams (16-12) will head to top-seeded Endicott College Thursday at 7 p.m. in the CCC Semifinals.
Beyond the Box Score:
