Immaculata, Pa. – Keystone College remained unbeaten in Colonial States Athletic Conference volleyball play this fall with an exciting, five-set victory at Immaculata University on Saturday afternoon. The Giants, who won the first two sets before holding off a comeback bid by the hosts, improve to 8-4 on the year and 5-0 in conference play with their eighth consecutive victory.
Keystone won Saturday's opening set 25-19 before rallying for a 25-20 victory in the second game to take a 2-0 advantage in the match. Immaculata (3-9, 1-1 CSAC) kept their hopes alive with a 25-19 decision in the third set, marking the first time in seven matches the Giants dropped a set, before forcing a decisive fifth frame with another 25-19 win in the fourth set.
Playing its first fifth-set of the season, Keystone scored the first four points and built an 8-2 lead. The Giants extended their advantage to 12-4, but the Mighty Macs scored seven of the next eight points to narrow Keystone's lead to 13-11. The hosts committed a pair of attacking errors though as the Giants hung on for the win, with
Shannon Monahan (Manalapan, N.J./Freehold) and
Malley Bowen (Owego, N.Y./Tioga Central) blocking down the final point in Keystone's 15-11 win.
Hannah Zuchowski (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro Area) posted a double-double on team-highs of 15 kills and 24 digs to go along with three service aces and three blocks.
Taylor Beatty (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) added 10 kills and three blocks while Bowen contributed seven kills, a team-best 25 assists, and 15 digs for the Giants.
Monahan,
Kristen Larkin (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown), and
Nathalie Ortiz (New Milford, N.J./New Milford) had five kills apiece for Keystone, who posted a .129 hitting percentage as a team.
Pamela Heitman (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) tied for a match-high with four aces and picked up 22 digs while
Sydney Binkley (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) put up 14 assists and had three aces.
Amanda Hardy (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) led the visitors with four total blocks on the day.
Victoria Homfeld (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) was the fourth Keystone player in double-figures for digs with 10 in the win.
Arden Vizzard picked up a match-high 17 kills for Immaculata, Olivia Zdradzinski had 46 assists, and Molly Truitt collected 40 digs to lead the hosts in the loss.
Keystone will return home on Tuesday night with a non-conference match against the College of Saint Elizabeth starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Gambal Athletic Center.
