FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It was a record-breaking night for the Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team, as the Pioneers broke a quartet of four-set marks in a 3-1 win over Rider in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Saturday at Notre Dame High School.
Camryn Luginbuhl was at the center of SHU's success, setting new four-set program records with 30 kills and 30.0 points. Luginbuhl tied her career high with 30 kills.
The Pioneers also tied a pair of team records. Sacred Heart tied the four-set marks with 73 kills and 69 assists.
Gaby Zovko was key to SHU tying the assists record, as she assisted on 51 of the team's 73 kills, two shy of her career high. She also tallied 10 kills and nine assists for a near triple-double.
Allison Murray had a near double-double on 14 kills and nine digs.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 8-12, 4-4 MAAC
Rider: 7-13, 6-2 MAAC
Top Performers:
Camryn Luginbuhl: 30 kills, 14 digs, 30.0 points
Gaby Zovko: 51 assists, 10 kills, 10 digs, 3 blocks, 2 aces
Allison Murray: 14 kills, 9 digs
How It Happened:
The opening set showed how close these two teams were matched, as much of it was played within four points. Rider owned a four-point lead late at 23-19 before the Pioneers put together a much-needed 4-0 run to even the score at 23-all. From there, the advantage swung back and forth, with SHU fighting off three set points. A 2-0 spurt with the score tied at 29-29 gave the Pios a 31-29 win. Luginbuhl capped the run with her eighth kill of the first set.
Following a 25-21 defeat in the second set, SHU started the third on a 6-2 run. The Broncs were ready with an answer, winning 12 of the next 15 points to take a 14-9 advantage. The Pioneers slowly started to chip away at the margin, trailing by three, 23-20, late in the frame. A Rider service error sparked a thrilling 5-0 run by the home team, as a dig from
Miliani Villarreal soared over the net and found the floor to seal a 25-23 win for the Pios.
The fourth set started off square at 12-12 before SHU took command of the frame with a dominant 9-0 surge to make it a 21-12 score. The Broncs rallied to cut the score closer, but the Pioneers had done enough, taking the set 25-22 and the match in four.
Up Next:
The Pios will be back at Notre Dame High School tomorrow to play Saint Peter's at 4 p.m.
