Broncos Fall in 4-Set Match to Flames
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hastings (7-3, 1-1) | 20 | 25 | 21 | 28 | 1 |
|
College of Saint Mary (NE) (10-6, 1-2) | 25 | 23 | 25 | 30 | 3 |
(Omaha, NE) - In a hard-fought conference battle, the College of Saint Mary's volleyball pulled out a four-set win (20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 28-30) over the Broncos.
The Flames played an aggressive first half, converting on 16 kills on 37 attacks and just four errors compared to 12 kills on 37 attacks and six errors, as Saint Mary took the first set 20-25.
Hastings regrouped well in the second set after falling behind 7-0, forcing the Flames into nine errors, en route to their 25-23 second set win. The Broncos trailed the whole set until taking a 24-23 to set up the set point. Freshman Londyn Carnes closed the set out with the final two kills from junior Alexis Pontine for the Broncos.
The Broncos led most of the third set and held notable leads of 13-10 and 19-18, but Saint Mary won seven of the next nine points to claim the third set, 25-21.
Hastings appeared to have the momentum they needed to force a decisive fifth set as they led 24-21 with three set point chances, but the Flames responded to take a 25-24 lead. A block from Pontine and freshman Mikah O'Neill tied the set at 25-all, then freshman Makenna Sutter and Pontine teamed up to save three consecutive points to make it 28-all. Saint Mary responded with a kill and error on the Broncos to escape with the fourth set and the match, 28-30.
O'Neill led the Broncos in kills with 15, followed by Sutter and senior Majesta Valasek with 11, and sophomore Ilse Benne with 10. Senior Miriam Miller led the game in digs with 36 and Pontine had game-high 53 assists.
Hastings will next play an exhibition at Nebraska-Kearney at 6pm on Tuesday, September 17th. They will have a quick turnaround, hosting Mount Marty at 7:30pm the next day on Wednesday, September 18th at Lynn Farrell Arena.
