Photo Courtesy of Dustin Waleff
By Dan Dilizia, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna volleyball team lost their two games against top ranked opponents Johns Hopkins and Colorado College this Friday, September 17, and Saturday, September 18 at the Johns Hopkins Invitational in Baltimore, MD.
Their first matchup was against Johns Hopkins, ranked number one in the nation. The River Hawks started strong, winning the first set 25-20. Midway through the second set, the score remained close, but the Blue Jays pulled away to win the set 17-25.
Susquehanna held late leads in the third and fourth sets, but Johns Hopkins was able to regain the lead on both occasions, winning the third set 19-25 and the fourth with 21-25.
Senior outside hitter Riley O’Dowd led the River Hawks in kills, with 19, and a hitting percentage of 27% over the four sets. Junior outside hitter Rosina Esposito contributed 13 kills and 20 digs. Senior libero Lizzie Herestofa collected an impressive 32 digs and five assists, and sophomore setter Madison Rockey notched an incredible 37 assists.
Susquehanna and Johns Hopkins were neck-and-neck in almost every category, both teams having 49 kills, 12 bocks, and 86 digs. The River Hawks took the lead in assists 47-46, while the Blue Jays led in points, 70-64, and aces, 9-3.
“We let an opportunity to beat two top five teams in the country slip away but we took a set from each. I think that proves we can beat great teams and be a top ranked team. Hopkins and Colorado College had the consistency that we were lacking but we have come out of this with more confidence that we can do great things,” said O’Dowd.
Susquehanna went on to face fourth ranked ranked Colorado College at 11 a.m. the next morning, with their 3 p.m. game against Ithaca cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Susquehanna fell behind 9-4 early in the first set, but quickly improved to 9-8 after a service ace via senior defensive specialist Megan Nelson. The set ended with a 25-20 Colorado victory, capped off with a kill from Esposito to bring the score closer.
Colorado again took an early lead in the second set of 17-11, but the River Hawks refused to roll over, notching eight straight points with a fantastic service ace by first-year outside hitter Ryan Rorls. Susquehanna would end up winning the second set 21-25.
The River Hawks started strong in the third set, collecting 10 of the first 13 points, with a devastating kill by senior middle hitter Paige Sfiroudis. The Tigers rallied back to tie the set at 22 and scored three of the next four points to win the set 25-23.
Colorado turned up the heat in the fourth, winning the set 25-18 and taking the victory. However, there were great performances by Susquehanna against this top-ranked opponent. Esposito led the team with 10 kills, while senior middle hitter Kody Dillon and senior outside hitter Brooke LaCesa each gained seven.
“We learned that we have the potential and talent to become a top ranked team. Now it’s all about pulling together our leadership on and off the court, and adapting to new game plans,” Nelson said.
For their next matchup, the River Hawks will face McDaniel College in Westminster, MD on Wednesday, September 22, at 7:30 p.m.
