After fending off match-point, the Notre Dame College volleyball team (11-16, 5-6 MEC) tallied the final three points of the contest, to claim the fifth set 16-14. NDC handled Glenville State (14-13, 3-8 MEC) during the first two sets, however the Pioneers flipped the script and sent the match into five sets. Sophomore Caris Cross set new career-highs as an NDC Falcon with a team-high 39 assists along with 12 digs.
The Falcons used a 7-0 run in the first set to jump ahead 12-8. NDC was fueled by senior Carli Derda's serve, which has been a weapon all season long. Next, the Pioneers used a 6-1 run to move ahead, 14-13. With GSU leading 19-17, NDC claimed eight of the final 11 points to win the frame 25-22. Sophomore Samantha Comer punctuated the set with a kill.
Notre Dame continued to play well into the second set by using a 6-0 run to maintain a 12-7 advantage. Following another 6-1 run by the Falcons, Notre Dame moved in front comfortably, 18-11. Kills by Comer and junior Brittany Miller would allow NDC to take set two, 25-18.
Glenville State flipped a switch during the third set with a quick 11-6 lead. The Pioneers would secure 10 of the next 14 points, to move ahead 21-10. Despite a 5-0 Falcon run, GSU took set three, 25-16.
The Pioneers carried their momentum into the fourth set with a 7-4 lead. The Falcons answered with a 7-2 run, highlighted by Grace Smotek's service ace, to earn an 11-9 advantage. Glenville State responded with an 11-3 run, to command a 21-15 lead. GSU forced a winner take all fifth set by winning the stanza, 25-18.
In the fifth set, the score was tied eight different times, despite NDC dominating the middle of the frame. The Falcons trailed 6-4 before generating a 7-2 run to soar in front, 11-8. Glenville State reclaimed the lead at 14-13, pushing the contest to match point. However, Notre Dame overcame the adversity and tallied a 3-0 run to hang on for a 16-14 set victory. Comer closed out the match with her team leading 12th kill of the night.
Alongside Comer was freshman Ryleigh Ronald with eight kills, Miller with seven and senior Blaire Barr with six, aiding the Notre Dame attack.
As aforementioned, Cross logged a team-high and Falcon career-high with 39 assists and 12 digs.
Defensively, sophomore libero Kiley Kalina registered a team-high 27 digs, followed by junior Ellie Schenk with 14 and Smotek with 12. Derda blocked a game-high five Pioneer attacks at the net.
As a team, Notre Dame posted 47 kills on a .142 hit percentage, to go along with 43 assists, 90 digs, seven blocks and eight aces.
The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday Oct. 22 for a 1 p.m. match at Concord University.
Original source can be found here.
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