CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- On night one of the MIT Invitational, the Endicott women's volleyball team made a small part of program history in the opening match before falling in a five set marathon in the second. The Gulls were able to defeat the Engineers of MIT for the first time in program history as they swept the hosts by scores of 28-16, 25-19 , 25-19.
Without any rest, the Gulls then looked ahead to the Bobcats of Bates College in the 6 p.m. matchup. The Gulls fell behind early in the first two sets by dropping by scores of 19-25 and 17-25 before storming back to tie up the match at two sets a piece by winning set three 25-17 and set four 25-16. The Gulls rode the momentum into the fifth and deciding set and were able to take an 11-9 lead before allowing Bates to rally off six of the last seven points to drop 12-15 in the fifth. The loss sees the Gulls move to 1-1 in the Invitational as they play the Jumbos of Tufts at noon before taking on the Camels of Conn. College at 4 p.m.
Against the host Engineers in the opening match of the Invitational, Endicott got outstanding efforts from Callie Dolan (Westford, Mass.), Mackenzie Guerre (Carlsbad, Calif.), Erika Trudon (Coventry, Conn.) and Alleigh VandeMerkt (Riverside, Ill.). Dolan continued her impressive senior campaign as she again led the Gulls offensively with 12 kills in the three sets. Guerre also continued her impressive sophomore season as she racked up eight more kills. Freshman Erika Trudon, starting in her second match at libero, led the defense with 10 digs as Alleigh VandeMerkt chipped in with 27 assists.
With a quick turnaround for Bates, all players again shined as Tori McIntyre (San Diego, Calif.) chipped in with yet another double-double on the young campaign. In the five set setback to the Bobcats, the Gulls were led up front by Dolan and McIntyre as Dolan recorded a team-high 15 kills while the freshman picked up an impressive 13. Guerre was close on the heels of both players as she collected 10 of her own. VandeMerkt was again able to guide the offense and led the team with 41 assists. Trudon and McIntyre were impressive defensively as Trudon again led the back line with 14 digs as McIntyre completed her double-double with 12 digs.
The Gulls now take the night to rest before heading back to MIT to take on the Jumbos of Tufts at noon. The team will then take on yet another NESCAC opponent in Conn. College in the 4 p.m. night cap of the Invitational. Endicott now stands at 3-6 on the 2013 season.