Lady Mavericks Take Five-Set Thriller in Comeback Style

Senior Simmone Talford had a season-high (55) assists.

BUFFALO, New York – The defending AMCC champion Franciscan University came into the Kevin I. Sullivan Center with a (3-0) record in conference play. They even held a (2-0) lead over the Lady Mavericks heading into the third set. Little did they know, they were right were Medaille wanted them. In what can only be called an instant classic, the Lady Mavs overcame the (2-0) deficit and came back to defeat the Barons (3-2; 19-25, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18, 15-12).

The first set was played relatively close for the most part, but it was the Barons who came out with an extra burst of energy. Franciscan was hitting very well, and after the Lady Mavs pulled within one at (12-13) on a kill by senior Jenna Cleversley (West Seneca, NY, West Seneca West), they took control of the first set. A Medaille timeout couldn't stop the Franciscan attack, and they went on to win set number one (25-19).

Set number two started off just as set number one ended. The Barons attack was stifling as Franciscan
found themselves with a (23-15) lead, looking to put a stranglehold on the match. The Lady Mavericks battled back; however, taking (10) of the next (11) points to pull even with the Barons while also taking all of the momentum. The run was sparked by a string of successful services from senior Simmone Talford (Clarence, NY, Clarence) and junior Jennifer Stebbins (Gowanda, NY, Gowanda). Franciscan went on to take set two (28-26), but it was the Lady Mavericks who had found new life.

The third set was a back-and-forth affair for much of the beginning. Slowly, though, Medaille started building an ever so gradual lead. First it was a two-point lead thanks to a kill by Cleversley. Then the margin was three after a Franciscan attack error. A Barons service error upped the lead to four and from there the Lady Mavericks took set number three home.

Senior Susan Muldoon had a season-high (19) kills.

 et number four saw the Lady Mavericks take the lead from the very beginning. After jumping out to a quick (6-3) lead, the Lady Mavs seemed in control and destined to force a fifth and deciding set. Even when the Barons tied the set at (6), Medaille seemed to have all of the momentum. The Lady Mavericks would lead by as many as (9) in the fourth, finishing it out with a (25-18) win.

After seemingly being destined to go the distance, the fifth set would not disappoint. Kills by senior Susan Muldoon (Buffalo, NY, Mt. Mercy Academy) and juniorLydia Penberthy (Amherst, NY, Sweet Home) had Medaille with a very favorable (6-4) advantage. However, the Barons roared back to take an (8-6) lead going into the turn. After switching sides the Lady Mavericks took over, winning (9) of the last (13) points and claiming their second AMCC victory of the season.

Some Lady Mavs put up incredible individual numbers in the win Friday evening. Talford, who continues to add to her All-Time career leading assist record, had a season-high (55) in that category against the Barons. Sophomore Hannah Johnson (Orchard Park, NY, Orchard Park) recorded an astounding (35) digs, which was a season-high for her as well.

Muldoon also added a season-high (19) kills, while Penberthy added (13) of her own in the win. Stebbins and sophomore Bailey Salemi both racked up (10) digs as well, as Medaille moves to (10-4) overall and (2-0) in AMCC play.

The ladies will be back in action this Sunday when they travel to Alfred, New York to take on the Saxons of Alfred University. The match is scheduled for a 12:00pm start.