Medaille Earns First Conference Win of Season Over Hilbert

Senior Jenna Cleversley had (3) kills and
(8) digs in the (3-1) victory over Hilbert.

The Lady Mavericks defeated the Hawks (3-1) at home on Wednesday evening

BUFFALO, New York – The Medaille College Women's Volleyball team played host to the Hawks of Hilbert on Wednesday evening, just the Lady Mavericks second home match of the season. It also marked the opening of AMCC play for Medaille, as they defeated Hilbert (3-1; 25-12, 25-18, 19-25, 25-10).

The Lady Mavs busted out of the gate firing on all cylinders, taking it to the Hawks early and often. The outside hitting tandem of senior Susan Muldoon (Buffalo, NY, Mt. Mercy Academy) and sophomore Bailey Salemi (Wheatfield, NY, Niagara Wheatfield) were hitting the ball exceptionally well early on, giving the Hilbert defense all kinds of fits. Medaille's biggest lead in the first set came on the very last point, when Muldoon served up a service ace that Ashley Viengmay couldn't handle to give the Lady Mavs a (13) point victory (25-12).

The second and third sets were much closer than the opening frame. Set number two was played within a five-point window for a majority of the time. It wasn't until a late run sparked by a kill from junior Marlena Clotfelter (Depew, NY, St. Mary's - Lancaster), that Medaille pulled away and earn a (25-18) victory to go up (2-0).

Set number three was a back-and-forth battle from the jump. The Lady Mavs did have a (16-12) lead at one point, but a (13-3) run by the Hawks forced a fourth set.

Junior Amanda Ruszczyk had (3) kills and (10) digs on Wednesday, both season highs. 

The Lady Mavs, who had beaten Hilbert (3-0) just nine days earlier, started set number four on a mission. Medaille's renewed energy, along with a number of Hilbert errors, helped the Lady Mavs sprint to an (8-3). The pace forced the Hawks to take a timeout and regroup; however, two service aces by senior Simmone Talford (Clarence, NY, Clarence) quickly increased the lead to (10-3).

The Lady Mavs continued to put on the pressure, and it was too much for the Hawks to handle. The closest Hilbert would come in set number for was (10), and Medaille closed out the match on a (5-0) run to take home their first conference win of the season.

Ten Lady Mavs recorded kills in the victory on Wednesday night. Talford and Muldoon led the way with (9) each, while Salemi finished with (6) and junior Lydia Penberthy had (5). Sophomore Hannah Johnson (Orchard Park, NY, Orchard Park) paced Medaille with (16) digs, while junior Amanda Ruszczyk (West Seneca, NY, West Seneca East) had a season-high (10).

The win improved Medaille to (9-4) overall on the season, and (1-0) in AMCC play. The ladies will be back on the Sullivan Center court Friday, October 2^nd when they host the Barons of Franciscan at 7:00pm.