Volleyball goes 3-1 at the Carnegie Mellon Invite

The Muskingum volleyball team went 3-1 at the Carnegie Mellon Invite this weekend. The Muskies defeated Scranton 3-0 (25-19, 40-38, 25-20) and conquered #13 Hope 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) on Friday. On Saturday, Muskingum spiked Susquehanna 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 25-27, 25-18) and fell to #10 Carnegie Mellon 3-1 (19-25, 21-25, 26-24, 17-25). 

The Basics

• The tournament was hosted by Carnegie Mellon.
• After this weekend, the Muskies advance to 10-1 on the year.
• Muskingum has recorded a total of six straight-set victories this season.

Friday Action

vs. Scranton

• As a team, Muskingum tallied 46 kills, 45 assists, and 60 digs.  
• In set one, the Muskies registered three consecutive points to jump out to an early 9-5 lead over Scranton. A kill by junior Brynn Guist expanded the gap to 14-8. The Wolves registered a 6-1 run to get within one point of the Muskies (15-14). Muskingum capitalized on Scranton errors to secure the set with a score of 25-19.
• In set two, the Muskies and Wolves fought side by side with neither team claiming more than a two-point lead early on. The contest remained tight until Muskingum registered back-to-back points to slide past Scranton with a score of 19-16. The Wolves and Muskies traded points until Muskingum secured three-straight points to claim a 40-38 victory over Scranton.
• In set three, the Muskies secured a ferocious 11-2 run to take the lead with a score of 15-7. The Wolves fought to trim the deficit, but Muskingum could not be halted. A kill by Guist locked in the 25-20 triumph for the Muskies.
• Guist guided the Muskies with 13 kills, six total blocks, and a team-high hitting percentage of .423.
• Freshman Alexis Hall and junior Brooke Fatheree chipped in nine kills each.
• Fatheree also registered 13 digs.
• Junior Erin Dickson led the Muskie attack with a team-best 26 assists.
• Freshman Emma Conrad dished out 14 assists.
• Junior Jessica Cottle notched a team-high 16 digs.

vs. Hope

• As a team, Muskingum registered 38 kills, 38 assists, and 47 digs.
• In set one, Hope and Muskingum battled side by side with neither team taking more than a two-point lead early on. The Muskies recorded four unanswered points to slide past Hope with a score of 15-10. The Flying Dutch attempted to close the gap, but Muskingum could not be halted. The Muskies claimed the last point to take the set.
• The Muskies took control of set two early on with a score of 8-3. Hope answered back with a 5-1 run to get them within one-point of the Muskies (9-8). Muskingum recorded back-to-back points to expand the lead to 19-13. Hope attempted to trim the deficit, but the Muskies continued to control the play. Muskingum locked in the set with a score of 25-21.
• In set three, the Muskies jumped out to an early 8-5 lead. Muskingum secured a 10-2 run to expand their advantage to 20-9. Hope fought to trim the lead, but Muskingum continued to dominate. A block by Dickson and Guist secured the 25-16 victory for the Muskies.
• Fatheree guided the Muskies with 12 kills on 28 attempts.
• Fatheree also registered 10 digs and recorded three total blocks.
• Junior Maddie McGee recorded nine kills, while junior Jada Briggs locked in seven.
• Junior Maddie Sikorski amassed 10 digs.
• Dickson tallied a team-best 29 assists.
• Guist registered a game-high four total blocks.

vs. Susquehanna 

• As a team, Muskingum recorded 54 kills, 51 assists, and 71 digs. 
• In set one, the Muskies registered four straight points to jump out to an early 12-5 lead over the River Hawks. Muskingum recorded a 7-1 run to expand the gap to 24-15. The River Hawks fought back, but Muskingum could not be halted. A kill by Fatheree locked in the 25-16 victory for the Muskies. 
• In set two, the Muskies and River Hawks fought neck and neck with neither team gaining more than a two-point lead early on. Muskingum registered back-to-back points to slide past Susquehanna with a score of 21-17. The River Hawks fought back with three unanswered points to get within one-point (21-20) of the Muskies. Muskingum retaliated with a 4-2 run to secure the set with a score of 25-22.
• The fight continued into the third set until the River Hawks registered a 7-1 run to advance past the Muskies with a score of 12-8. Muskingum answered back with three consecutive points to take a two-point lead over Susquehanna (19-17). The Muskies and River Hawks battled side-by-side in the remainder of the set. Susquehanna capitalized on Muskie errors to lock in a 27-25 triumph over Muskingum. 
• The Muskies came out hot and took control of set four early on with a score of 15-11. Susquehanna fought to close the gap, but the Muskies could not be tamed. Muskingum secured the last five points to take the set and record their tenth straight victory of the 2019 season. 
• McGee recorded a team-high 11 kills. 
• Fatheree and Hall dished out 10 kills each. 
• Fatheree also registered 18 digs. 
• Sikorski logged a team-high 19 digs, while Cottle amassed 17. 
• Dickson guided the Muskie offense with a team-best 29 assists. 
• Conrad tallied 17 assists. 

vs. Carnegie Mellon

• As a team, Muskingum amassed 59 kills, 55 assists, and 61 digs. 
• In set one, the Muskies and Tartans fought neck and neck with neither team claiming more than a two-point lead early on. Muskingum registered back-to-back points to slide past Carnegie Mellon with a score of 11-7. The Tartans retaliated with eight consecutive points to take control of the set with a score of 21-14. Muskingum fought to close the gap, but the Tartans could not be halted. Carnegie Mellon recorded the final point to take the set. 
• In set two, the contest remained tight until Carnegie Mellon registered a 9-4 run to secure a dominating 23-19 lead over the Muskies. Muskingum attempted to trim their deficit, but a kill by Qui Sahara locked in the 25-21 victory for the Tartans. 
• The battle continued into the third set until Muskingum recorded three consecutive points to jump out to an early 11-8 lead over the Tartans. Carnegie Mellon answered back with a 7-3 run to advance past the Muskies with a score of 15-14. After a Muskingum timeout, the tempo of the game began to change and the Muskies registered back-to-back points to secure the 26-24 set win.
• In set four, the Tartans took an early lead of 10-4. Carnegie Mellon capitalized on Muskingum errors to expand the deficit to 18-10. The Muskies chipped away at the differential but were unable to close the gap. A kill by Carnegie Mellon secured the 25-17 victory for the Tartans. 
• McGee and Fatheree registered 15 kills each. 
• Fatheree also recorded a team-high 15 digs. 
• Briggs dished out eight kills. 
• Dickson controlled the Muskie attack with a game-high 39 assists. 

Up Next

• The Muskies next host the Bethany Bison on Wednesday, September 18, for their 2019 home opener. Start time is slated for 7:00 p.m.