HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team continued its strong early-season play as it rallied to overcome Moravian College, 3-2, in non-conference action at Gooding Arena Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, the Fords opened Centennial Conference action with a three-game sweep of Dickinson College.
Taking on the Greyhounds (10-2) in the final contest of the day, Haverford (6-2, 1-0 CC) shook off a narrow loss in game one (26-24) to claim a victory in game two (25-21).
Despite suffering another close setback in game three (25-23), the Fords battled Moravian for every point in game four. Facing a 22-20 deficit and possible match loss, Haverford dug deep and registered five of the next six points with strong play from Olivia Walsh to take game four (25-23) and force a deciding game five.
The Fords took control in the final game of the match as they opened a 9-5 lead on a service ace from Jordan Scolaro. The Greyhounds closed to within 11-10 but Haverford surged once more as Meg O'Day tallied the final point of the 15-10 victory.
Keri Godbe led a balanced offensive attack with 19 kills while O'Day and Nina Mutty added 18 and 10, respectively. Walsh contributed an impressive 50 assists.
Spearheading the defensive effort, Madison Fuelling and Godbe shared team-high honors with 24 digs. Olivia Coburn-Flynn registered six block assists while Emily Mills tallied five.
Samantha Savite led Moravian with 20 kills and Jesse Krasley added 37 digs.
Earlier in the day, Haverford was potent on offense from the start against the Red Devils (1-9, 0-1 CC) in claiming the three-game sweep (25-10, 25-13, 25-21). The Fords registered a .444 attack percentage in game 1 and .303 attack percentage overall. Freshman Godbe tallied 14 kills while classmates O'Day and Mutty chipped in with nine and seven, respectively. Also active on offense, Walsh contributed 24 assists and four service aces.
Fuelling led a sound whole-squad defensive effort with 11 digs. Jeanna Kenney, Sarah Brody and Mutty contributed nine each.
Emily Smith paced Dickinson with eight kills and nine digs.
Haverford continues Centennial action as it welcomes Muhlenberg College for a 7 p.m. contest on Sept. 19.