FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The Quincy University women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at the Shark Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 4). The Hawks fell to host Nova Southeastern in straight sets in game one, then fell in four sets to Lynn University.
Game 1
After a slow start for the Hawks in the first set, a four-point run gave them an early lead, 6-5. Not long after, the Sharks came back with six straight points to make the score 12-7. Quincy was not able to catch back up and fell by a 25-21 final score.
In the second set both teams put on an offensive show as they went point-for-point, and the score sat tied at 9-9. The Hawks were not able to slow down Nova Southeastern after the tie and went scoreless over the last eight points of the set. QU fell 25-15.
Nova sealed the deal in the third set after taking an early 7-2 lead. Quincy trailed the entire set, but the Hawks narrowed the margin to one point near the end of the set, 24-23. The comeback was too little too late as the Hawks fell 25-23.
Game 2
The first set started aggressively from both sides. After the Fighting Knights scored the first point of the set, Quincy followed with two consecutive kills by Sydney Clark and Mattie Norris to make it 2-1.
After trading points, Lynn took a four-point advantage, 8-4, but the Hawks did not stay behind for long. Quincy rattled off five straight points and regained the lead, 10-9. Elizabeth Lightner had back-to-back kills that was followed by an attacking error from Lynn to put the score at 13-11 in Quincy's favor.
The fireworks continued as both teams remained close. The Hawks gained a little distance by scoring four times behind two errors from the Knights and two strong kills from Norris. QU led 20-16. Quincy kept the lead for the rest of the set and won 25-23.
Quincy was not able to keep pace in the next three sets and fell in all three by scores of 25-17, 25-16, and 25-8 to end the weekend.
Side Note
Mattie Norris was named to the All-Tournament team after compiling 40 kills and 23 digs over the weekend.
Stat Leaders
Mattie Norris: Game 1 – 6 kills, 8 digs; Game 2 – 9 kills, 7 digs
Sydney Clark: Game 1 – 10 kills; Game 2 – 7 kills, 4 blocks
Elizabeth Lightner: Game 2 – 8 kills, 6 blocks
Emily Rehagen - Game 1 – 9 kills, 5 assists; Game 2 – 9 kills, 7 digs
America Galvan - Game 1 – 15 digs; Game 2 – 14 digs
Next Game
The Hawks will be on the road once again to participate in the 2021 Hampton Inn Invitational that will be hosted by Wisconsin-Parkside. QU begins play on Friday (Sep. 10) morning at 8:00 AM against Minnesota State University.
