Volleyball Scores Straight-Set Win To Open 2013
August 30, 2013

Volleyball Scores Straight-Set Win To Open 2013

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College women’s volleyball team opened the 2013 season with a convincing straight-set victory against Ursinus College on Friday afternoon in pool play of the 11th Annual Greyhound Premiere Invitational.

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College women's volleyball team opened the 2013 season with a convincing straight-set victory against Ursinus College on Friday afternoon in pool play of the 11th Annual Greyhound Premiere Invitational.

The Greyhounds (1-0) shook off some first-match jitters to erase an early deficit and take the first set, 25-18. Moravian steamed ahead and won the next two sets, 25-12 and 25-16.

"I thought we were a little nervous to start out," said Head Coach Shelley Bauder. "Once we played like we knew how to play, we were able to put more pressure on them. Any win is a good win, but we want to focus on opening well and finishing well all weekend."

The win got Moravian out on the right foot during a long opening weekend in Johnston Hall. The Greyhounds continue pool play Friday night at 8 p.m. against Marywood University. Teams are re-pooled on Saturday according to opening round records to play for the hardware.

Senior setter Kelly Brown led a balanced attack for Moravian against Ursinus. Brown notched 33 assists in the victory that saw nine different Greyhounds pick up kills. The senior captain also noticed her squad overcoming early-season nerves.

"Both teams had a lot of nervous energy to begin the match, so our plan was to let them get it out first," Brown said. "In the second and third sets, we got out to some great leads, so that kept the good energy high for the rest of the match."

Junior outside hitter Taylor Jennings and sophomore middle blocker Victoria Bobyak headed the offensive onslaught with nine kills each. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Hostetler added eight kills, while senior middle blocker Brittany O'Hara recorded five kills on a .444 hitting percentage.

Junior Kelianne Comitalo and freshman Taylor Kornmann each pitched in with four kills.

"The win will help us out a lot for the rest of the tournament," said Brown, who turned in a solid defensive match with eight digs. "The first game is always nerve-racking so it was nice to get it out of the way with a good win."

Bauder was pleased to see her young guns make an impact this early in the season. Kornmann made her presence known near the net and freshman libero Kim Groff demonstrated consistent passing to go along with 11 digs in her Moravian debut.

The Greyhounds used the momentum of unanswered serving runs during the second and third sets to pull away from Ursinus. The serving of sophomore defensive specialist Andrea Giardina (three aces) and sophomore setter Megan Szkolnicki (two aces) helped Moravian cruise to victory.