Nov. 9, 2007

Box Score

Oakdale, NY - After winning 3-1 against the Bridgeport Purple Knights, Adelphi Volleyball traveled to Dowling College to play the New Haven University Chargers in an East Coast Conference Semifinal match-up. The Panthers lost 3-2 in a hard fought battle to the Chargers, ending their 2007 ECC Tournament action.

The Panthers were challenged immediately by the Chargers, who scored on the opening serve of game one. Adelphi would answer with two quick points to take the lead 2-1, however it would be the last time they would be ahead in game one. Audrey Goss (Birmingham, AL) lead the Panthers with three kills and six total attempts, while Brittany Addeo (Minden, NV) assisted the Panthers six times in the 30-14 game one loss.

Game two saw a sharper Panther team, a closer match, but still the same outcome - a 30-27 loss and putting Adelphi in a must win situation for game three. Led by Kathleen Carney (Wichita, KS) with five kills, Adelphi tallied 16 total kills on 39 total attempts during the second game.

Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, Adelphi established control early, and maintained the lead throughout the competition to take game three, 30-25. The Panthers reached their largest lead of the match so far, 18-10, forcing New Haven to call a timeout to slow the momentum. The timeout had success, tightening the score to 22-21, but it would be Heather Mau's (Honolulu, HI) back to back service aces allowing the Panthers to gain the momentum back. Carney along with Kathleen Creegan (North Bellmore, NY) aided the Panther's efforts with three kills a piece.

Game four still had Adelphi in a win at all costs situation, but the Panthers continued their fight. Their efforts received a 30-23 win and a forced game five to decide the ECC Semifinal match-up. Miscommunication on the Chargers side gave Adelphi the first point of the game, but the back and forth battle between the two rivals would keep the score close. The Panthers would eventually gain control of the game, and Kelsey Hackett (Alta Loma, CA) would put it in the books with game ending kill. Creegan continuing her offensive push adding another four kills to her total.

Adelphi still needed a win to stay alive in ECC post season play, but now New Haven would share the same pressure. Again these two tri-state rivals battled back and forth bringing the score to seven all. It would be the Chargers to force the game five, eight point side switch, but Lauren Flanagan (Boulder, CO) would answer the Chargers point with a kill for Adelphi. A long volley session ended with a blocking error on New Haven, and the Panthers were first to break into double digits at 10-8. The later half of the game saw the momentum shift towards the Chargers, and in turn bringing the score to 14-13 in their favor. A New Haven fake spike - tip dropped between the Panthers defense, and the Chargers would win the final game 15-13.

Addeo would finish the match tallying 44 assists, and Carney led the Panthers with 13 kills in the Panther's loss. Rhe-Ann Niles and Anicia Wood, both put up 18 kills for the Chargers.

The Panthers will now turn their eyes towards the NCAA Tournament and see if their 27-7 overall record places them high enough to receive a bid to play.