Posted: Oct 15, 2014
Gordon Volleyball pushed its winning streak to three matches with a straight-set victory over visiting Suffolk University on Wednesday night at the Bennett Center. Faith Gerdes (Wall Lake, Iowa) and Maggie Risma (Hudson, Ohio) powered the Fighting Scots attack to 41 kills in the 3-0 defeat of the Rams.
The Fighting Scots (10-11) struggled to find their footing against the strategic attack of the Rams until midway through the first set. Gordon fought back from three points down to take a 19-15 lead on a service ace by Jessica Burdick (Brewerton, N.Y.). The flurry of points forced Suffolk to use one of its two timeouts in the frame, but it didn't slow down Gordon's attack. A service ace by Risma and a kill by Laura Schmidt (Stuart, Fla.) brought the Scots within a point of a first-set victory, before Schmidt ended it with another kill at 25-19.
The momentum gathered at the end of the first continued into the second as the Fighting Scots were able to open the set with a 16-6 run. An attack that was inconsistent at times in the first set fired on all cylinders during the stretch, with Risma leading the way with four powerful attacks from the left side. Gordon and Suffolk traded points back and forth the rest of the way, but the Fighting Scots were able to hold on for the 25-11 win.
Suffolk (7-15) looked to mount a comeback and began with a 12-4 run to start the third set. Gordon chipped away at the large deficit after a called timeout until they found themselves tied with the Rams at 14 points aside. Suffolk regained control of the set once again late and held a 22-18 lead before Gordon made its final move. The Fighting Scots scored seven of the final eight points played and took the match sweep with a 25-23 victory in the final set.
The Rams were led by senior Katie Matatall (Danville, N.H.) with seven kills and a .077 hitting percentage. Glamarys Sierra (Carolina, Puerto Rico) and Yabriela Perez (Dorchester, Mass.) each finished with 13 digs, while Sierra also offered up 11 assists on the evening.
Gerdes led all scorers with 13 points and 10 kills, also contributed three solo blocks in the middle of the Gordon attack. Risma has adjusted well to her new spot and had nine kills on the outside, while also managing 23 digs and three service aces. Joy Kimmel (Madison, Conn.) dished out 37 assists on the evening, while Krystal Vander Ark (Santa Barbara, Calif.) led the Scots with 25 digs at libero. Freshman Meghan Hokanson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) had the best hitting percentage on the night with four kills a .375 mark.
Gordon returns to the floor on Saturday morning against touted Roger Williams at 11 a.m. Suffolk goes back to Boston for a four-match home stand beginning on Saturday versus St. Joseph's (Conn.).
(Story courtesy of Gordon College Sports Information)