SELINSGROVE, PA (October 7, 2022) – Day 1 of the Second Annual Bromwyn Keener/Amanda Swazey Superstar Invite saw Susquehanna get a strong win in the first of their three matches as part of the weekend. The River Hawk volleyball team earned a 3-0 victory over the Knights of Neumann University, with set scores of 25-17, 25-19, and 25-21.
SU turned out a highly efficient showing on the night, beginning with a .435 hitting percentage in set one and committing only one hitting error. In contrast, Neumann would turn in a -.034 percentage in the opening set, giving the River Hawks an even easier route to the set win. Set two would see a slight dip in percentage for SU, with them down to .250 hitting, though they would put up a match-high set total of 15 kills. The Knights jumped up to a .154, managing to stick a bit closer but kept at an arm's length.
The River Hawks would jump back up in offensive production in set three, again tallying 11 kills and just one error, with a hitting percentage of .357. Neumann would respond with their own best offensive set, putting up their match-high set total of 13 kills. This would manifest in some late runs from the Knights to attempt to come back in the set, with SU having been in the lead 20-15 but seeing the score get as close as 21-20 before SU righted the momentum and ended the match with the three-set sweep.
Beyond the efficiency, Susquehanna's key advantages would come in service and at the net, with the River Hawks tallying seven service aces to Neumann's three and putting up five blocks while the Knights had none. That net play was reflected in the individual stat lines of SU's starting middles, graduate Kody Dillon and sophomore Amanda Gore. Dillon finished second on the team in kills with seven and did it at a remarkable .583 clip, also adding three of SU's seven service aces and two block assists. Gore had six kills and hit .417 while leading the team with three block assists. Rosina Esposito led the team in kills as usual, tallying nine on the night and hitting .364. She would add six digs, two block assists, two assists, and a service ace to put together a well-rounded performance. Senior Lexie Kalligonis led the River Hawks in digs with 11, while sophomore setter Keira Roach took her usual spot atop the team in assists with 27.
The Invite will continue Saturday with four more matches, beginning at 11 am with Susquehanna taking on Thiel College. They will then play again at 5 pm to close out the day, facing the final participant, Vassar College.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
