WENHAM, Mass. - The Endicott women's volleyball team traveled across town to take on rival Gordon and suffered their first defeat to the Scots since 2007, falling 3-1 on Tuesday night. With the loss, Endicott falls to 15-8 (2-2 CCC) while Gordon improves to 13-8 (4-2 CCC).
The Gulls were led by Hayley Knapp (Valencia, Calif.) and Lexi Watts (San Diego, Calif.) who combined for 24 of the team's 26 kills. Knapp recorded a team-high 13 kills to go along with a team-high six blocks while Watts chipped in 11 kills and four digs in the setback. Setter Alleigh VandeMerkt (Riverside, Ill.) ran the Endicott offense as she tallied a match-high 36 assists to go along with 13 digs.
Defensively, four Endicott players recorded double-digit digs including three with 20 or more. Leading the charge was libero Cydney Pierce (Santa Barbara, Calif.) who notched 23 while Lily Benabou (Medway, Mass.) and Tori McIntyre (San Diego, Calif.) each chipped in 21. McIntyre also added eight kills and two blocks to her performance.
BEYOND THE BOX
- This was Endicott's first loss to Gordon since October 16, 2007. On that date, the Gulls fell in five at home.
- The win was Gordon's first win at home against Endicott in nearly 13 years as the feat was last accomplished on October 23, 2002.
- Tonight was the first time Endicott has dropped a set to Gordon since October 28, 2009 in a match that Endicott would eventually win in four.
FOR THE FOES
- The Fighting Scots were led by an extraordinary defensive effort from libero Maggie Risma (Hudson, Ohio) who averaged 11 digs per set on her way to picking up a total of 44 on the night.
- Freshman outside Mackenzie Hinds (Higganum, Conn.) notched a match-high 14 kills, the 10th time she has eclipsed the double-digit kill mark on the season.
- The Scots held a solid advantage at the serving line, serving up seven aces to five errors compared to three aces and 12 errors for the Gulls.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott returns home on Friday for a 6:00 p.m. matchup against Coast Guard. Gordon travels to Nashua, N.H. for a tri-match with Southern Vermont and Daniel Webster. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
