Franciscan Bests La Roche 3-1 in Final Road Match

Franciscan Bests La Roche 3-1 in Final Road Match

STEUBENVILLE, Oh. - Women's volleyball was defeated tonight in their final road match of the regular season at Franciscan University three sets to one. Heading into tonight's match, the teams were tied for fifth in the AMCC standings, each with 4-4 record in conference play. The Redhawks are now tied with the Medaille Mavericks for sixth in the standings. In order to make the postseason, La Roche not only must defeat D'Youville (3-19, AMCC: 1-8) on Saturday, but they also need Mt. Aloysius (17-8, AMCC: 7-2) to beat Medaille (4-5, AMCC: 6-20). If the Mavericks are able to pull off the upset over the current #2 seed in the conference, they will take the final playoff spot over La Roche since they hold the tie-breaker. After winning three straight conference matches mid-October, the Redhawks have now lost three straight. Earlier this season, Mt. Aloysius shutout the Barons 3-0 (10/19/2019). D'Youville has not won a match since October 2nd when they defeated winless Hilbert 3-1. 

Final: La Roche: 1, Franciscan: 3

Records: La Roche (8-17, AMCC: 4-5), Francsican (12-13, AMCC: 5-4)

Synopsis: 

La Roche jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the first set but then allowed the Barons to go on a 7-0 run. The Redhawks would eventually tie 21-21 and finish the set on a 4-1 run to go up 1-0 in the match. 

The Lady Redhawks held that momentum going up 11-2 on 5 kills to start to the second set. The lead would diminish but La Roche still lead 19-16 before Franciscan went on a 9-0 run to win the second set and even the match. 

The third set was even up until the mid-way point, 12-13 in favor of the Barons. Franciscan would finish the set on 12-4 run to go up 2-1 in the match. 

Francsican started the fourth set a 4-1 run and never looked back; the Barons would go on to win 25-15. 

The Redhawks finished with 31 kills on 144 total attacks and 18 errors (.09 hit percentage) while the Barons finished with 46 kills on 141 attacks and 13 errors (.234 hit percentage). 


LEADING THE ATTACK: Junior middle-hitter Ingrid Spear led La Roche with 10 kills on only 20 total attacks (.500 hit percentage). Spear has been the most efficient hitter in the conference, posting a .260 hit percentage this season (1st in AMCC). Ingrid also recorded 2 assisted blocks for 11 total points (team-high). 

SET EM' UP: Senior setter Bailey McDonald recorded a team-high 14 assists in the match. Freshman setter Cassidy Rossi finished with second most (7). 

BACK ROW PLAY: Senior libero Erin Connor had 13 of the Redhawks 44 digs in the match. This season she has averaged 4.13 digs/set (7th in AMCC). 

AT THE NET: The Redhawks had six blocks on the night, all were assisted (Spear: 2, Senior middle hitter Christine Aland: 2, Senior outside hitter Janet Aland: 1, Senior right side hitter Haley Ebersole: 1)

NEXT UP: La Roche plays their final home and regular match of the season this Saturday, November 2nd at 1:00 p.m. The Lady Redhawks eight seniors will be recognized prior to the match.