Women's Volleyball Takes a Set in Each Match Against Lasell and Saint Joseph's Maine

STANDISH, Maine - The Elms College Women's Volleyball team traveled to Saint Joseph's College of Maine for a conference tri-match against Lasell University and the Monks on Saturday.

BASICS
Match 1
Score: Elms College 1 (14, 25, 16, 21) | Lasell University 3 (25, 21, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 8-12, 1-7 (GNAC) | Lasers 16-3, 7-1 (GNAC)

Match 2
Score: Elms College 1 (21, 22, 25, 17) | Saint Joseph's College of Maine 3 (25, 25, 19, 25)
Records: Blazers 8-13, 1-8 (GNAC) | Monks 14-11, 9-1 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Match 1
The opening set would begin by Lasell scoring the first two points, shortly followed by back-to-back kills by junior Lilliana Simmons (Springfield, Mass.) and senior Alysha Izquierdo (Holyoke, Mass.). The Lasers would then gain the lead, but the Blazers would then take a short lived lead after a service ace from graduate student Alyssa Moore (Ludlow, Mass.) and kills by Izquierdo and first year Samantha Haug (Union, N.J.). Lasell would then take back the lead, but Elms would continue to battle their conference foes throughout the set, with the help of kills from Izquierdo and Simmons, along with a block by Simmons and senior Angelica Marks (Miami, Fla.), and a service ace from senior Jaylen Holman (Las Cruces, N.M.). Unfortunately, the Lasers would win the first set 25-14.

The second set would start with the Blazers earning the first point, but Lasell would quickly respond by taking a three-point lead. Izquierdo and junior Quiana Gibbs (Porterville, Calif.) would both record kills, but the Lasers offense would continue to help add to their lead. Elms would see Marks record back-to-back kills, followed by two-straight service aces by senior Alejandra Marin (Dorado, Puerto Rico), to assist in trimming down their opposition's lead. But as the set continued, Lasell would continue to stretch their lead. This would deter the Blazers, with kills from Izquierdo, Q.Gibbs, Marks, and Simmons, along with Moore adding a service ace, Elms would rally back to win the second set 25-21 to tie the match one set each.

The third set saw Simmons earn a kill to record the first point, but the Lasers would then score nine-straight points to take the lead. The set would see Simmons add a service ace, Q.Gibbs record a pair of kills, a kill by first year Naiima Mack (Baltimore, Md.), Marks and Marin each add a kill, and Holman recording a kill and a service ace. Unfortunately, Lasell would win the third set 25-16 to take a two set to one lead.

The fourth and final set of the match would see the two conference foes battle early, with Simmons and Izquierdo recording four kills early. The two sides would then trade points, with Q.Gibbs, Marks, Simmons, and Izquierdo each adding kills, along with a Holman service ace, to give Elms a 12-8 lead. The Lasers would continue to rally themselves to regain the momentum in the match. The Blazers would see kills from Simmons, Izquierdo, and Q.Gibbs, but Lasell would win the third set 25-21 and would the conference match three sets to one.

Match 2
The opening set would see Elms score first, but Saint Joseph's would hold the first lead of the set. The Blazers would continue their efforts offensively to battle their conference rival, with three-straight kills from Simmons, Q.Gibbs, and Izquierdo, followed by a service ace by Marin and Holman adding a kill. The Monks would then gain another lead, but would not relive it to Elms, even with the efforts of kills from sophomore Olivia Rivera (Springfield, Mass.), Q.Gibbs, and Izquierdo, along with Marks and Holman each adding a service ace, for SJC to win set 25-21. 

The second set would begin with the Monks taking the first lead, but with the help of five kills by Q.Gibbs, Izquierdo, and Marks, along with a service ace from Simmons, the Blazers would try to create an early rally against Saint Joseph's. But as the set would continue, the Monks would add to their lead further. Even with the assistance of kills from Marks, Simmons, and Izquierdo, SJC would win the second set 25-22, to take a two set lead.

The third set would start with Elms recording a 6-1 lead, with kills by Simmons and Izquierdo. As the set continued, the Monks would look to gain a lead, but the Blazers would continue to answer quickly, with the help of kills from Q.Gibbs, Marks, and Simmons. Shortly thereafter, Elms would gain their first extensive lead, and would hold momentum thanks to a block from Marks, four kills by Izquierdo and Q.Gibbs, and four service aces from Holman, Moore, and Marin, to win their first set of the match 25-19.

The fourth and final set would see Saint Joseph's earn the first lead, but the Blazers would quickly tie the score following a kill by Rivera. The two conference foes would continue to battle, with Elms earning points with the assistance of a service ace from Moore, a block from Marks, and six kills by Q.Gibbs, Marks, Simmons, and Izquierdo. Unfortunately, the Monks would defeat the Blazers 25-17 to win the set and the match three sets to one.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Cabrera - an assist and a dig.

• Q.Gibbs - 19 digs and 12 kills.

• T.Gibbs - a dig.

• Haug - 12 digs, two assists, and a kill.

• Holman - 56 assists, 22 digs, five service aces, and three kills.

• Izquierdo - 26 kills and five digs.

• Mack - a kill and a dig.

• Marin - six digs, four service aces, and a kill.

• Marks -  nine kills, four digs, three blocks, and a service ace.

• Moore - 34 digs, five assists, and five service aces.

• Rivera - two kills and a dig.

• Simmons - 13 kills, ten digs, two service aces, and a block assist.

UP NEXT: The Elms Women's Volleyball team will travel to West Hartford, Conn. to compete in a conference tri-match against University of Saint Joseph, Conn. and Mitchell on Saturday, November 1st at 11 am and 1 pm.

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