VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Salisbury University women’s volleyball opened the Batten Quad with a 3-0 sweep of the Benedictine (Ill.) Eagles on Friday, Sept. 18, at TowneBank Arena. The Sea Gulls won 25-12, 25-16 and 25-16 to improve to 6-2.
Amanda Meschi of Salisbury University led the team with a double-double that included 12 kills and 13 digs. She also recorded five service aces and hit .462 in the victory.
Salisbury University women’s volleyball controls all three sets
Salisbury University overcame Benedictine’s three-point opening run in the first set with six consecutive points, including two service aces from Meschi. The Sea Gulls added another five-point run before closing the set with a 6-1 surge for a 25-12 win.
The Sea Gulls built a 6-1 lead in the second set and answered after Benedictine pulled within two points. Salisbury University later closed the set with the final five points, taking a 2-0 lead with a 25-16 victory.
Salisbury University started the third set with eight of the first nine points and never allowed the Eagles to get closer than four points. Meschi and Sierra Lenzen combined for a block late in the set, and Lenzen added a kill before Salisbury University completed the sweep.
Balanced attack supports the sweep
Sophia Tapia and Kyra Douglass each finished with seven kills. Tapia hit at a .417 percentage, while Douglass hit .357.
Kiley McTaggart contributed five kills, six digs and three blocks, including one solo block. Mattox Adams recorded 27 assists, Sophia Blaufuss led the match with 18 digs and Elizabeth Villegas added nine digs.
Salisbury University had a team hitting percentage of .337 and held Benedictine (Ill.) to a minus-.010 hitting percentage. The Sea Gulls also held advantages in blocks, 8-3, and service aces, 10-6.
The official Salisbury University recap lists Benedictine (Ill.) with a 4-7 record. Salisbury University is an NCAA Division III institution with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference.
Saturday matches scheduled at Batten Quad
Salisbury University was scheduled to face Benedictine (Ill.) again Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. The Sea Gulls were also scheduled to play 18th-ranked hosts Batten at 3 p.m.; the source identifies Batten as formerly Virginia Wesleyan University.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Salisbury University combined efficient attacking, strong serving and defense to finish the sweep without dropping a set. Meschi delivered the standout performance with her double-double and five aces, while Salisbury’s balanced contributions helped the Sea Gulls open the Batten Quad with a 6-2 record.
Source: Original report
