Links: Box Score
KINGSTON, R.I. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program played in its first match of its abbreviated spring season on Tuesday night, falling by a 3-0 margin (25-9, 25-18, 25-13) to the University of Rhode Island at Keaney Gymnasium.
The match marked the debut of first-year head coach
Stephanie Kazmierczak. On the court, Merrimack was led by junior
Brooke Leestma who had team highs in kills (7), digs (13) and attacks (17). Freshman
Ashley Gajdzik posted a team-high eight assists in her team debut while senior
Megan Larson notched eight digs in her premiere appearance as the team's libero.
The Basics
Score: Rhode Island 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-9 | 25-18 | 25-13)
Records: Merrimack (0-1, 0-0 NEC) | Rhode Island (2-4, 1-1 A-10)
Location: Kingston, R.I. | Keaney Gymnasium
Set Breakdown:
- The Warriors were within two points, 8-6, in the early portion of the first set. Leestma and Megan Rumenapp registered kills as did sophomore Maegan Hladick. From there, however, Rhode Island grabbed the next five points to open a 13-6 advantage. The hosts also ended the set on an 8-0 run to win the opener
- Merrimack owned multiple leads at the start in the second set including at 9-8 following another kill for Hladick. With the score at 10-9, Rhode Island gained control with a 7-1 spurt. The Warriors grabbed three of the next four points – highlighted by a kill and block assist for sophomore Sophie Meyers – to climb within three, 17-14. The Rams went on to quiet Merrimack's rally, winning eight of the final 12 points to go up in the match, 2-0
- The hosts took a 5-2 lead, but the Warriors recovered to make it a one-point deficit, 9-8, following consecutive kills for Hladick and Leestma. The scored remained in Rhode Island's favor, 16-12, when the Rams ended the night with a 9-1 run
Notes & Notables
- Leestma set a career high with her 13 digs. It was her fourth career match with at least 10 digs, as well. Her seven kills were the second highest single-match total of her three-year career
- Hladick's five kills and 23 attacks were also career highs
- In addition to the eight helpers, Gajdzik finished third on the team with 14 attacks
- Sophomore Quinn Kellogg joined Larson and Gajdzik in making her Merrimack debut
- Junior Natasha Vallis led all players with three block assists
Up Next:
Merrimack travels to play Northeastern on Thursday night at 8 p.m.
