SELINSGROVE, PA – Susquehanna Volleyball returned home after nearly a month away on Friday, opening their Landmark Conference season against Lycoming College. The River Hawks started off strong, stringing together seven straight points to open set number one in what would eventually lead to a 25-15 victory. Set two ended in a similar fashion, with a final line of 25-18 in favor of SU. Susquehanna finished off the match with a commanding 25-16 win in the final set to increase their record to 5-10 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
First-year starter
Sami Kline led the River Hawks in kills with eight on the night, followed closely by juniors
Amanda Gore and
Brie Livezey with three each. Gore and Kline added to their tremendous offensive performances by setting the pace in blocks for the match, with one and a half apiece.
Keira Roach supported Susquehanna with 30 assists, while also leading in service aces with three. Libero
Valerie Stoltz led the team in digs with ten, followed closely by
Jessica Sack with eight, while
Callie Wince and
Emma Tsaknakis supplied seven of their own.
Susquehanna's thrilling final set included many highlight plays, perhaps none greater than the one provided by
Valerie Stoltz. After pulling out to a commanding 8-2 lead early in the third set, Stoltz lunged forward for a diving dig, and expertly placed the ball over the net into an empty Lycoming area to score and deny the Warriors any chance of hope.
The River Hawks are set to take on #1 Juniata College in their second conference matchup of the weekend tomorrow at 7:00 PM. Susquehanna will look to dethrone the Eagles from their place atop the national rankings and move to 2-0 in conference play.
