Sept. 10, 2010

Results

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Marist volleyball team lost to Maryland Eastern Shore, 3-2 (25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 11-15) in its opening match of the Art Carmichael URI Invitational on Friday afternoon. The Red Foxes received a match-high 18 kills by freshman Grace Hill (Portage, Mich.), but could not hold onto their 2-0 lead as they fell to the Hawks in five sets.

Marist (5-5) trailed for much of the first set, including facing a 17-9 deficit at one point. The Red Foxes would come all the way back, however, as a kill by Hill put Marist ahead 18-17. Both teams continued to trade points, and with the set tied 21-21, two kills by Hill and a service ace and a kill by sophomore Hanna Stoiberg (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) gave Marist a 25-23 first set victory.

In the second set, Marist was in control for much of the game, as it opened up a 7-3 lead behind two service aces by senior Lindsey Schmid (Austin, Texas), a kill by Stoiberg, and a service ace from freshman Audra Brady (Allentown, Pa.). Marist saw Maryland Eastern Shore cut into its lead by scoring four straight points in the set to trail 11-10, but the Red Foxes responded with a 4-0 run of their own to build a comfortable 18-12 lead. Maryland Eastern Shore put together one last run, as it closed to within two points, 24-22, but a Hawk attack error gave Marist the second set victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Looking to send the match to a fourth set, Maryland Eastern Shore (2-7) erased a 15-11 Marist lead and eventually tied up the set at 16-16. Both teams continued to exchange points before the Hawks took a 22-21 lead on a Stephanie Sierra service ace. A kill by junior Stephanie Robinett (Sugar Land, Texas) pulled Marist to within one point, 24-23, but the Hawks closed out the set on a Kaveigna Lea'Aetoa kill.

The Red Foxes held an early 7-2 lead in the fourth set, but once again Maryland Eastern Shore chipped away and eventually evened up the game at 12-12. There were six more ties in the set, as both teams continued to trade points before the Hawks eventually pulled away using a 6-0 run to claim the fourth set 25-19 and force a deciding set.

In the deciding set, with the score even at 4-4, the Hawks built a 6-5 lead and would not look back, as they completed their comeback and won the set 15-11.

For the match, Marist outhit Maryland Eastern Shore by a slim .290 to .288 margin. Hill led the Red Foxes with 18 kills while Robinett and Stoiberg each finished with eight. Senior Emily Brosky (Whitehall, Pa.) and Hill each finished with seven digs for Marist.

The Red Foxes will return to the court this afternoon for a 3 p.m. match against New Hampshire.