Links: Box Score (SNHU) | Box Score (Saint Michael's)

MANCHESTER N.H. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program competed in two matches this Saturday against Southern New Hampshire and Saint Michaels in Manchester, NH at the Stan Spirou Fieldhouse. After falling to the Penmen to start the day, they quickly bounced back, earning their first victory of the season with a 3-0 triumph over Saint Michael's. The Warriors attacked impressively against the Purple Knights, posting .341 hitting percentage that featured an errorless second set. 

The Basics
Score: SNHU 3, Merrimack 0 (17-25 | 19-25 | 14-25)
Score: Merrimack, St. Michaels (25-22 | 25-13 | 25-20)
Records: Merrimack (1-2) | SNHU (2-0) | Saint Michael's (0-2)
Location: Stan Spirou Fieldhouse | Manchester, N.H.     

Set Breakdown (SNHU)

• Merrimack started out strong, taking a 6-2 advantage to start the opening set. Freshman Taylor Sawyer notched a kill that kept Merrimack in front, 13-11, but from there the Penmen used an 11-2 run that moved the hosts within three points of the set. The Warriors then won two points, but the Penmen ended the set on a 4-0 run to move ahead, 1-0
• The team's traded 3-0 runs in the second set that left Merrimack trailing by one. Down 13-10, Merrimack recorded a 4-0 run that began and ended with kills for senior captains Catherine Flaherty and Rosie Sperduto that put the Warriors in front. SNHU recovered, however, ended the set on a 12-4 run 
• Flaherty notched three kills over the second set's first 13 points, staking Merrimack to a 7-6 edge. With the score at 12-11 in favor of the Warriors, SNHU surged on a 14-2 run that closed the match

Set Breakdown (Saint Michael's)

• Warriors quickly settled in to their second match of the day, and went on 5-1 to open up the scoring giving them the early advantage. Merrimack built on the early lead and continued to cruise with a kill from senior Catherine Flaherty to put the Warriors up 9-4. The back-and-forth set saw Saint Michael's take a brief 22-21 lead, but the Warriors closed with a 4-0 run to claim the set. Sperduto was heaviliy involved in the run, notching a block assist and the set-clinching kill
• Merrimack took a commanding lead in the second set at 12-4 and never looked back. Flaherty and freshman Lily Blodgett shined in this set, combining for seven kills in the set alone. The Warriors won by a 25-13 final, and grabbed a 2-0 advantage
• Flaherty's ace midway through the final set cemented another early lead for Merrimack, 15-9. Freshman Emily Adams got in on the action with a kill making it a 17-10 game. The Purple Knights fought to stay alive, bringing the score to 24-19, but the Warriors were able to hang on and earn their first victory of the season with a 25-20  triumph.

Top Performers

• Flaherty and Blodgett shared 6 kills apiece in the first match against SNHU while Blodgett racked up an impressive 14 kills in the second match against Saint Michaels.
• Sperduto led the Warriors in assists both games, finishing the first game with 16 and the second game with 21.
• Freshman libero Taelyr Czech finished her Saturday with a combined 28 digs between the two matches.
• Adams paced the Warriors in blocks, finishing with 2 against Saint Michael's.

Up Next:
The Warriors hope to add to the win column this Tuesday, Sept. 10^th at 7 p.m. against Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.