The No. 1 seeded Gordon College Volleyball team cracked open the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament with a bang tonight as they faced the No. 8 University of New England (UNE) Nor'easters. The Fighting Scots dominated Kanas Court in the single-elimination Quarterfinal bout, sending their guests home after three straight sets to book their trip to the Semifinals.
Graduate student
Jordan Shaduk guided the Scots to a quick victory tonight as the stellar power hitter smashed down 12 kills. Meanwhile,
Annie Murphy was not far behind, booking 11 kills in the effort followed by the CCC's most recent Player of the Week,
Valerie Nilan, who recorded nine kills and four blocks.
How It Happened
- Macie Carroll got the Scots rolling in the servers spot as Gordon started off with five straight points including two aces from the senior before the Nor'easters were able to get on the board. But the Fighting Scots stayed hot going on a four point run thanks to kills from Shaduk and Nilan with a pair of aces from the hand of Joey Keltner sandwiched in between to bring the Scots to double digits (10-3). UNE attempted to close the gap but a Howe ace gave her squad an eight-point lead (22-14) before Murphy closed out the set, 25-18 with an earth-shattering kill.
- In the second set, the Nor'easters turned the tables as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead, however, the Fighting Scots quickly flipped the script to gain a double-digit lead (16-6) after twin kills from Shaduk. The Scots continued to command the court, before Murphy sealed the second set win once again with a closeout-kill.
- Gordon showed no mercy, starting off the third set with a trio of kills from Murphy, Emily Schneider and Nilan before eventually grabbing a nine-point lead (19-10), forcing a UNE timeout. The Nor'easters battle to keep their season alive as each squad went point for point but the Scots were too hot, until Murphy locked in the game, booking the last point for the third time tonight to take the 3-0 sweep (25-17).
Beyond The Box Score
- Kate Howe earned a career-high five total blocks in tonight's commanding win.
- Annie Murphy ended all three sets for the Scots, each with a kill.
- After the shutout victory, the Fighting Scots are headed to the Semifinal round where they will host No. 4 Suffolk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 3.
