WASHINGTON, DC – The Marist volleyball team went 2-0 on the opening day of the American Invitational as they took down Maryland Eastern Shore in three sets, and then went on to take down Central Connecticut State in five sets.
 

UMES Recap

• The Red Foxes and Hawks battled early in set one for the lead as both teams were exchanging points early
• The Red Foxes were able to go on a 3-0 scoring run to tie up the game at 17 points apiece later in the set.
• The Hawks answered back as they went on 4-0 scoring run to regain the lead as Marist trailed 21-17.
• Marist would then answer back again, going on 8-2 scoring run with multiple service aces from Claire Lewis as the Red Foxes came back to close out set one by a score of 25-23.
• In set two the Red Foxes and Hawks once again battled early for the lead; however, Marist was able to find a groove as they went on 11-2 scoring run to gain a huge lead for the Red Foxes.
• Marist was able to win set two by a score of 25-15 as newcomer Katherine Thompson was able to tally multiple aces and Gabriella Heimbauer tallied multiple kills for the Red Foxes.
• In set three, Marist got off to an early lead as they went on 13-2 run to extend their lead to 19-10.
• The Hawks were able to answer back as they went on a 9-2 scoring run to cut the Red Foxes' lead to 24-20. 
• The Red Foxes were able to close out the set by a score of 25-20 as Emi Yakushev and Gabriella Heimbauer came up with clutch kills.

Notable Stats

• Sasha van der Merwe led the Red Foxes with 12 kills in the match.
• Gabriella Heimbauer & freshman Emi Yakushev combined for 17 kills for Marist.
• Katherine Thompson and Claire Lewis both had six aces in the match.
• Claire Lewis led the Red Foxes with 34 assists on the day.

CCSU Recap

• The Red Foxes got off to a hot start in set one as they took a 12-6 lead.
• Marist would go on multiple runs later in set one as Sasha van der Merwe and Claire Lweis contributed crucial points for the Red Foxes. They won set one by a score of 25-17.
• In set two, the Red Foxes and Blue Devils battled for the lead all set long as both teams kept exchanging points.
• Morgan Munro was able to come up with two crucial kills as Marist closed out set two with a score 25-19 to gain a 2-0 lead on the match.
• The Blue Devils would then answer back as they would go on multiple scoring in set three as they won their first set of the match by a score 25-21 to bring the match score to 2-1.
• In set four the Blue Devils would repeat what they did in set three as the Red Foxes and Blue Devils would battle back and forth exchanging points. They went into extra points asCCSU would take set four by a score 26-24.
• In the fifth set Marist and CCSU would exchange points back and forth once again; however, Marist was able to go on a run and never look back as they closed out the fifth set by a score of 15-10 to win the match 3-2.

Notable Stats

• Gabriella Heimbauer led the Red Foxes with 20 kills in the match.
• Newcomer Emi Yakushev recorded 14 kills in the match.
• Claire Lewis led Marist with 50 assists in the match.
• Katherine Thompson had 24 digs in the match.

Up Next

• The Red Foxes will continue onto day tww of the American Invitational as they take on American University on Saturday, Sept. 2.
• Match time is set for 5 p.m.