EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Thomas Jefferson University volleyball team opened its 2022 season on Saturday, splitting a tri-match with Indiana (Pa.) and host East Stroudsburg.
MATCH ONE – L, 3-1 vs. Indiana (Pa.)
The Crimson Hawks held an 8-5 advantage in the opening set before recording seven in a row to up the lead to 10 (15-5). The Rams were able to get back within five (18-13) but IUP went on to score seven of the next 10 points and take the set, 25-16.
Jefferson jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second stanza. The Crimson Hawks kept it a tight set and trailed by one at 17-16. The Rams then created some breathing room with a 5-0 run to make it 22-16. Jefferson went on to even the match with a 25-20 victory.
The third set was another close affair and the Rams nursed a one-point cushion at 20-19. However, IUP rallied for six of the next seven points to swipe the win, 25-21. The two squads traded leads throughout the fourth frame before needing extra points to decide a winner. With the score even at 26, the Crimson Hawks rattled off three of the next four to claim the match.
Quick Hits
Jess Molen: 16 kills, 12 digs, 1 service ace, 2 blocks
Sam Mann: 8 kills, 6 blocks, 2 digs
Morgan Ritchie: 8 kills, 3 digs, 3 service aces
Kristine Guenther: 34 assists
Cameron Johnson: 18 digs, 4 assists
MATCH TWO – W, 3-1 vs. East Stroudsburg
The Rams had an 8-4 lead in the first set but the Warriors rallied for 10 of the next 12 to take a 14-10 advantage. ESU maintained the upper hand on the way to taking the frame, 25-19.
The two sides went back and forth in the second until the Warriors were able to pull out to a 22-18 lead. Jefferson then stunned the host school, going on a 7-1 run to win the stanza, 25-23.
Morgan Ritchie registered consecutive service aces and
Jess Molen and
Kristine Guenther each contributed a kill during the stretch.
In the third, the Rams got out to a 6-2 advantage and never trailed on the way to a comfortable 25-17 triumph. ESU tallied the first three points of the fourth set but Jefferson countered with 10 of the next 11 to go ahead 10-4. The Rams then cruised to a 25-12 win to clinch the match.
Quick Hits
Jess Molen: 17 kills, 9 digs, 1 service ace
Morgan Ritchie: 12 kills, 16 digs, 2 service aces
Sam Mann: 5 kills, .364 hitting percentage, 6 blocks, 2 digs
Mary Lauersen: 9 kills, .304 hitting percentage, 5 digs
Kristine Guenther: 37 assists, 11 digs
Cameron Johnson: 14 digs, 4 service aces
NOTES
- The Rams hit an impressive .324 in the fourth set against ESU to close out the match.
- It was the first-ever meeting between Jefferson and Indiana (Pa.) in volleyball.
- The Rams snapped a two-game slide versus East Stroudsburg, defeating the Warriors for the first time since 2016.
UP NEXT
Jefferson begins conference play on Wednesday, August 31 at Chestnut Hill. First serve is at 7 p.m.
