Volleyball snaps five–match loss streak with win over Merrimack
By Paige Apps, Sports Reporter
The Canisius volleyball team gave its home crowd something to celebrate Saturday, snapping a five–match losing streak with a 3–1 victory over Merrimack in Metro Conference action at the Koessler Athletic Center.
The Golden Griffins used a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive performance to take the match in four sets, only falling to the Warriors 26–24 in the second. The victory improved Canisius to 2–7 in conference play, with the other win coming over rival Niagara earlier in the season.
Four Griffs recorded at least 10 kills, led by redshirt junior Julia Lenik with 13. Seniors Azoria Davis and Hannah Kos, alongside junior Emma Isroff, each added 10 kills, giving Canisius multiple offensive options throughout the match.
Isroff continued her strong season with another all–round performance, recording a career–high eight service aces. She also contributed five kills, four digs, three block assists and two aces in the third set alone as Canisius regained control of the match.
The Griffs opened the afternoon by taking the first set 25–17. Davis led the offense with four kills and a .429 hitting percentage while Canisius capitalized on three consecutive Merrimack errors midway through the frame to establish a lead it would not surrender.
Merrimack answered in the second set, overcoming a 22–19 Canisius advantage to take the set 26–24. Rather than allowing the momentum to shift completely, the Griffs responded in the third set.
Canisius held the Warriors to a .077 hitting percentage in the second set and recorded 10 block assists in the third, marking the Griffs’ highest total in a single set during the match. Isroff helped lead the way as the Blue and Gold regained a 2–1 advantage with a 25–21 victory.
The fourth set featured another balanced effort from the Golden Griffins. Canisius hit a match–best .333, recording 14 kills on 30 attempts. Four different Griffs recorded three kills in the frame as the team closed out the match with a 25–23 victory.
The defense was equally important to the win. Senior libero Brenda Reynaga recorded 23 digs while Canisius finished with 65 digs as a team. The Griffs also collected 22 block assists, marking the third consecutive match in which they recorded at least 20.
The victory provided Canisius with a strong response after its previous five matches, which could give the team momentum heading into a two–match road trip against Marist and Siena.
With just under 10 games left in the conference season, the Blue and Gold will look to build on Saturday’s performance and carry the same balance, energy and defensive intensity into the next stretch of their schedule.
Comments