GLENSIDE, Pa. – The Haverford College volleyball team (13-2) split the final day of action at the Knight Invitational, hosted by Arcadia University. Haverford quickly swept past Lycoming (25-13, 25-16, 25-11), before UC Santa Cruz rallied for a five-set victory in the afternoon match (15-25, 25-22, 16-25, 25-23, 15-13). Senior Julia Gallagher-Teske made program history during the second match recording her 354th career block to take over the Haverford career record for total blocks. Jelyn Meyer '04 previously held the record. Gallagher-Teske finished the day with seven total blocks.
Haverford 3, Lycoming 0
The Fords handled Lycoming with relative ease in the first match of the day, taking an 10-3 lead to begin the first set before eventually stretching that advantage to as much as 23-11. The Fords hit .182 in the stretch, which was keyed by a strong service turn from Madison Adore. Adore delivered three service aces in the span of four points, as Haverford opened up a seven-point advantage. An Adore kill later forced a Lycoming timeout at 18-10, and strong play from setter Sydney Miller and Lindsey Keener delivered the set to Haverford in the final moments.
In the second, the Warriors proved they could hang around with Haverford, taking a 14-12 lead before the Fords were able to turn that advantage around quickly, taking a 19-17 lead. The Fords later ended the set on a 4-1 run, with Riley Outen contributing a service ace in the spurt.
The third set was a chance for Haverford to prove its mettle, as Isabel Schwam oversaw a big run at the service line in the early goings. Haverford pulled ahead by eight at 11-3, and outpaced the Warriors from that point, eventually extending its lead to 24-10 as Schwam again was vital at the service line, delivering another ace to give Haverford set point. Kendall Otridge eventually secured victory for Haverford at 25-11.
Miller grabbed 20 assists, while Sara Matsumura tallied 18 digs. Otridge had a great all-around performance, with seven kills on just 13 total swings. The first-year also added four blocks in the match. Adore delivered four kills on just six attempts, while also recording four service aces.
UC Santa Cruz 3, Haverford 2
Facing off with an opponent from the Golden State for the first time since 2011, Haverford was immediately tested by a strong showing from the barnstorming Banana Slugs. The two sides battled for the lead in the early goings, with Christine Anderson taking a turn at the service line that resulted in a 4-0 spurt for the Fords. Anderson delivered a pair of service aces in the stretch, as Haverford went ahead 14-9. The lead eventually stretched to 10 at 23-13, prompting UC Santa Cruz to call for timeout. A block from Adore and Gallagher-Teske later gave Haverford set point, and a ball handling error by the Banana Slugs handed the set to Haverford at 25-15.
In the second, UCSC roared back after Haverford established a 16-12 lead following a service ace from Matsumura. The Banana Slugs rallied to take a 20-18 lead, and the two sides then traded jabs, with Dina Kosyagin and Otridge both instrumental in a stretch that tied the score as late as 22-all. Maiya Sears eventually posted back-to-back kills for UCSC to even the match at a set apiece.
The Fords took the third set, turning an early 9-9 deadlock into a 13-9 lead. Haverford furthered its advantage to six at 21-15 before UCSC called for timeout. Otridge gave Haverford set point before an attack error ended the set in favor of Haverford.
The fourth went back to the Banana Slugs, despite Haverford jetting out to a 14-8 advantage. Gallagher-Teske recorded her milestone on a solo block that gave the Fords a 16-10 lead. A run from UCSC cut that lead to just one at 16-15, and the two sides could not find much separation before Gallagher-Teske and Kosyagin recorded consecutive blocks to put Haverford on the brink of set point. Unfortunately for the Fords, UCSC then finished the set on a 4-0 run to tie the match at two games apiece.
In the fifth and deciding set, Haverford was the first to eight, with Keener finding the floor and prompting the squads to switch sides. A 5-0 run gave UCSC a 10-8 lead, and the Banana Slugs eventually extended their lead to 13-9. Haverford battled back with consecutive blocks involving Otridge, but UCSC was able to escape with a 15-13 victory.
Three Fords contributed 10 or more kills in the match, with Otridge leading the way with 14. Kosyagin notched 13 and Keener contributed 10. Miller added 43 assists, while Matsumura led three Fords in double-digits with 28 digs. Elena Filograna (12) and Schwam (11) also reached double-digit dig totals. Matsumura had four service aces while Anderson contributed three in her first extended action of the season. Gallagher-Teske tallied six total blocks, while Adore notched five.
With tournament play now concluded, the Fords will shift their focus to the Centennial Conference slate. Haverford welcomes Muhlenberg (5-7, 0-1 CC) to Gooding '84 Arena on Wednesday evening. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.