HAVERFORD, Pa. - In a matchup between the Centennial Conference's two 15-win programs, the Haverford College volleyball team (15-15, 1-2 CC) was defeated by visiting No. 16 Johns Hopkins (16-0, 3-0 CC), falling 3-0 by set scores of 25-17, 25-12, and 25-14 inside Gooding '84 Arena Saturday afternoon.
Dina Kosyagin paced the Fords with seven kills, while Madison Adore added six. The blocking effort was again strong for the Fords, as Julia Gallagher-Teske had four total blocks to lead the way defensively. Sydney Miller notched 20 assists, while Sara Matsumura controlled 19 digs, extending her Centennial Conference-leading total in the category to 477. Matsumura currently has 171 more digs than second place Grace Sullivan of Ursinus (276).
In the first set, the Fords used a trio of early blocks to pull to within three as the visitors saw their lead dwindle to just 7-4 as Haverford tallied three of its first four points off of blocks. Gallagher-Teske was involved in all three denials, teaming up with Kosyagin, Adore, and Lindsey Keener in an inspired defensive stretch. A 6-0 run for the Blue Jays later gave Johns Hopkins some breathing room, as the visitors were able to open up some separation en route to a 25-17 set victory.
In the second, it was again Johns Hopkins with early momentum, with the visitors racing out to an 8-2 lead. The Fords cut that advantage to within four at 10-6, but the visitors extended their lead to as much as 21-10 before using a stout blocking performance down the stretch to take a 25-12 win. Lauren Anthony, Louisa Kisthon and Natalie Aston combined for three blocks in the final five points.
In the third set, an Elena Filograna service ace helped key a 4-0 run that saw the Fords down by just one at 6-5 in the early goings. Ultimately, a match-best .342 hitting percentage helped the visitors gain the advantage in the set, as the Blue Jays middles again frustrated the Fords in a 25-14 decision.
Lauren Anthony finished with seven total blocks to set the tone for Johns Hopkins. Simone Bliss had a match-best 12 kills while Natalie Aston added 34 assists. Nicole Hada grabbed 16 digs.
Haverford now returns to conference action on Wednesday, October 9, taking on Ursinus at 7 p.m. in Collegeville, Pa. Haverford has won its last 22 matchups with the Bears, a streak dating back to the 1998 season.