ANNVILLE, Pa. – Hadley Sparks and
Riley Mack had 12 kills apiece as the Lebanon Valley College women's volleyball team dropped a closely contested 3-1 decision to visiting Rowan University on Friday evening at Sorrentino Gymnasium.
The Profs, who improved to 16-2 on the season, rallied after dropping the first set 25-19 to win the next three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-22, and 26-24.
Lebanon Valley took control midway through the opening set and never looked back, riding a balanced offensive attack to a 25-19 victory over Rowan. After the teams traded points early and found themselves tied at 10-10, the Flying Dutchmen used a 10-5 run to seize momentum. Kills from
Hadley Sparks, Mack Riley,
Jillian Jefferys, and
Teaguen Reynolds helped LVC build a multi-point cushion, while service aces from
Molly Thomas,
Jasmine Sullivan, and
Laylah Chestnut kept pressure on the Profs. Sparks was instrumental during the decisive stretch, recording several key kills as Lebanon Valley turned a one-point lead into a 20-15 advantage. Riley added a late kill to bring the Dutchmen to set point before Reynolds slammed home the match's final point for the 25-19 win.
The Dutchmen won three of the first four points in the second set and held an early 6-4 advantage. Rowan used a 6-1 run to take the lead at 10-7. LVC battled, but the Profs countered every move and led 15-11. Jefferys,
Libby Lindau, and Reynolds powered the next four points to even the score at 15. The Dutchmen then took the lead 19-17 following kills from Sparks and Mack. The Dutchmen got to 20 first, but Rowan used a 7-1 run to close out the set and even the match at 1.
Rowan scored the first point of the third set, but the Dutchmen scored the next six behind a pair of aces from
Jasmine Sullivan. The Profs answered the run and cut the deficit down to one point at 7-6. The teams traded points and rallies as the Profs slowly took the lead at 16-14. They were able to grow the advantage to 21-17 before a 3-0 rally by the Dutchmen brought the lead to one. That was as close as the Dutchmen would get in the set as Rowan scored four of the next six points to win the set and take the lead in the match.
LVC jumped out to another lead to begin the fourth set, winning five of the first seven points. Once again, the Profs slowly clawed into the lead and cut the deficit to 7-6. Sullivan had back-to-back kills to push the advantage to three. The teams continued to trade short rallies and points with the Dutchmen holding a 14-11 lead. They were able to build the lead up to five points at 18-13 following a kill from Sparks. The Profs countered with the next three points before LVC went on a 5-1 run to push the lead to 23-17. Rowan called a timeout and came out of the break with the next six points to tie the set and then scored three of the next four points to win the set 26-24.
Inside the Box
- Sparks led the Flying Dutchmen attack with a team-high 12 kills, added five digs, and chipped in a service ace for 13.0 points.
- Mack matched Sparks with 12 kills while recording six digs and finishing with 12.0 points.
- Reynolds was dominant at the net, posting nine kills on a .300 hitting percentage, adding a service ace and three total blocks (1 solo, 2 assisted) for 12.5 points.
- Sullivan orchestrated the offense with 43 assists, while also contributing six kills, four service aces, and six digs.
- Jefferys added eight kills and two block assists.
- Lindau was efficient offensively, hitting .500 with five kills on eight attacks, while also contributing three blocks (1 solo, 2 assisted).
- Defensively, Molly Thomas paced the back row with a match-high 25 digs and added a service ace and two assists.
- Chestnut provided a spark off the bench with 15 digs and a service ace.
- As a team, Lebanon Valley totaled 52 kills, 45 assists, 72 digs, eight service aces, and nine blocks, showcasing a balanced effort on both sides of the ball.
Up Next
The Dutchmen will be back in Sorrentino Gymnasium on Tuesday, October 13, when they will face Marywood University in an important conference battle. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Annville.
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