Brown University
Stony Brook
Bears Split with Holy Cross and Stony Brook
9/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Providence, R.I. – The Brown volleyball team earned a
tough split on Friday night, opening the Brown Invitational with
two five-set matches, losing a 3-2 decision against Stony Brook
before bouncing back with a 3-2 victory over Holy Cross. Sophomore
Spencer McAndrews (Ladera Ranch, CA) stepped into the setter
position to lead the Bears, wracking up a combined 89 assists, 16
digs, four kills, and six total blocks. After the evening's
action, the Bears stand at 2-6 overall so far this season.
In the first match, the Bears came up just short in rallying from
an 0-2 deficit, forcing a decisive fifth set. After Stony Brook
took the initial two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-19, the Bears
fought back for a 25-23 win in the third to climb back to within
2-1. The fourth set was perhaps the most exciting of the night,
featuring an amazing nine ties and four lead changes, as Bruno came
out on top after going to extra points, winning 27-25 to even the
match. However, the Seawolves were able to regain their rhythm in
the fifth set, winning 15-12 to take the opening match.
Senior captain Moira Gallagher (Tulsa, OK) played her best match of
the season against Stony Brook, recording 16 kills and 10 digs, and
adding another 10 kills and four digs against Holy Cross. Rookie
libero Carly Cotton (Newport Beach, CA) continued to impress
defensively, picking up 24 digs in each match, while junior Brianna Williamson (Cincinnati, OH) had a combined 25 kills and 27
digs.
Squaring off against Holy Cross less than an hour after the opening
match ended, fatigue was a potential issue for the Bears. However,
after dropping the first set 25-22, they bounced back to take the
next two by scores of 25-19 and 25-14. The third set was
particularly impressive, as the Bears hit .542 while holding the
Crusaders to a -.080 percentage. Holy Cross battled back in the
fourth, with a 25-19 win, but Brown opened the fifth on a 7-1 run,
and held on to win the match with a 15-9 victory.
The Bears will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, when they
have a rematch with Holy Cross at 4:00 p.m.
