#11 – WVB: Robert
Morris at Sacred Heart (SHU 3-2) – 10/13/12
This Sacred Heart/Robert Morris volleyball match is one that
without an extra, careful look could easily get lost in the shuffle. Yes, it
went five sets. But it was played early in conference season, therefore there
were no playoff implications, and Sacred Heart was a team that ultimately
despite being the two time defending champions and the 2012 pre-season
favorite, didn’t qualify for the NEC Volleyball Tournament. However, with
careful inspection, one would find that this showdown included a fantastic
comeback, several tense, pressure-filled moments, and many spectacular
individual performances making this volleyball match the 11th best
NEC game of 2012.
The match started out like anything but a spectacular game
of the year candidate for Sacred Heart as they committed 11 hitting errors in
the opening set, hitting at a .061 percentage. Still, the Pioneers were able to
stay within striking distance, ultimately forcing a 16-16 tie and briefly
grabbing a 19-18 lead. But several SHU miscues in within the final few points
cost them. The Colonials recorded seven of the final nine points to take the
first set 25-21. In the second, it was Sacred Heart who paced themselves out to
a lead for much of the stanza. The
Pioneers led by as many as six points at 16-10 before the Colonials got
themselves on a four point run off Alex Deines’ serve. Robert Morris was
eventually able to draw even at 18 and the two teams traded the lead back and
forth before settling even at 23. Off a kill and a block, the Colonials closed
out the second set 25-23 to grab a commanding two sets to none lead in the
match.
Fighting to stay alive, the Pioneers traded the lead with
Robert Morris five times in the first 12 points of the third set. The set, and
the match, then reached a pivotal fork in the road, tied at 18 all. SHU won seven of the following nine points to
keep their chances going, winning the third set 25-20. Hoping to close things
out in set four, the Colonials grabbed an early 5-1 lead, but what followed was
perhaps the most dramatic set of volleyball all season. The fourth set featured
an amazing 17 ties and 11 lead changes, as neither team was able to get on a
run and pull away from the other. Robert Morris found themselves with their
first match point at 24-23, but Sacred Heart freshman Natalie Kridel saved it
off with a clutch kill. SHU had to go a little extra to do it, but the Pioneers
equalized the match at two sets apiece, winning a grueling fourth set 29-27. Both
teams did not hit well in the fourth set as Sacred Heart registered a .089
hitting percentage with 13 errors, while Robert Morris hit .032 with only 7
kills and 6 errors.
In the fifth and decisive set, the Pioneers led 8-7 before
committing four consecutive errors. The Colonials found themselves up 13-9,
just two points away from victory, before SHU freshman Karly Shockey threw down
a kill. Megan Pulone came in to serve for Sacred Heart, and after back to back
setting errors by the Colonials Hannah Hoffman and a kill from Johanna Ovsenek,
the Pioneers had successfully saved off four consecutive match points to tie
the fifth set at 13 all. An Allison Riggs kill gave Sacred Heart their first
match point, and after a Colonials timeout, the Pioneers clinched the two hour
and 15 minute marathon on a Robert Morris blocking error.
Ovsenek led Sacred Heart with 17 kills, and Alisa Mesa
recorded a career high 61 assists in the winning effort. Lindsey Monger was the
lone Colonial in double figure kills with 12, while Hoffman added 25 assists.
These two teams would take the court one more time in 2012, for a rematch in
Moon Township on November 3rd with the Colonials earning a victory
in four sets.
Robert Morris Game Recap
#12 (tie) – WBB: Central Connecticut State at St. Francis (SFU 86-83, 2OT) – 2/20/12
#12 (tie) – WBB: LIU-Brooklyn at Monmouth (MU 55-54) –2/25/12 
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