Coming off of a sweep over Siena, the Quinnipiac women’s volleyball team hosted Saint Peter’s, posting another 3-0 sweep. The Bobcats (5-17 overall, 4-8 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) defeated the Peacocks (6-20, 3-9 MAAC) by scores of 25-22, 25-16, and 26-24. After losing six straight games before their win against Siena, Quinnipiac has started to turn things around.
“I think the setting from where it was at the beginning of the year to now… It’s night and day,” said head coach Kris Czaplinski.
The Bobcats began the match with a close set. After going up 24-17, the Bobcats allowed the Peacocks to score five straight points before getting the last point they needed to win the set. Although the team was getting kills and blocks, it was clear they needed to work on serving. Three serves soared straight into the net for the Bobcats in the first set.
One player that made a huge impact in the first set was sophomore Gabby Horman. Horman’s height was her biggest weapon in blocking against the Peacocks. She ended the game leading in digs with 13, as well as solo blocks with 3.
“She’s an amazing athlete,” said Czaplinski. “It was just a matter of time for her to start breaking through. She’s just using her god-given ability right now to get as high as she can blocking.”
Another key player in this game was senior Kat Miller. Although sophomore Morgan Sherwin lead the team in kills with 15, Miller still had an impactful 10 herself.
“She’s huge,” said Czaplinski. “She’s our only senior right now, and the thing about her is she can hit from anywhere on the court.”
In the second set, the Bobcats improved on the mistakes they were making. Although they started slow and didn’t take the lead until the middle of the set, the team kicked it into gear to win the set by nine.
The third set was much more back and forth. The Peacocks showed improved effort in stopping the Bobcats. Late in the set, the Peacocks took a commanding 18-14 lead. The Bobcats did not let this discourage them and came back to tie the game up at 19. After more back and forth from both sides, the Bobcats came out on top, winning the close set 26-24 to take the game.
Now on a two-game winning streak, Quinnipiac looks ready to tackle the rest of their schedule. Their next opponent is Rider, and the team is looking to shock them.
“Last time we played them (Rider) we didn’t do too well,” said senior Kat Miller. “We’ve gotten so much better since then, so I don’t think they’re really prepared for that.
Quinnipiac will face Rider (9-9 overall, 5-5 MAAC) on Sunday, October 21. The game will be at Quinnipiac at 1 p.m.
