KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Quincy University women's volleyball team was unable to carry the momentum of back-to-back GLVC victories into Saturday afternoon, falling to Rockhurst University in straight sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19, inside Mason-Halpin Field House. The loss drops the Hawks to 11-7 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
Rockhurst controlled the opening set from the start, scoring the first three points before quickly stretching the advantage to 6-1. Quincy briefly chipped away at the deficit, but the home Hawks continued to apply pressure from the service line and used multiple runs to build a double-digit advantage. QU was never able to establish an offensive rhythm and dropped the opener 25-12. Quincy recorded just six kills with 10 attack errors to hit -.148, while Rockhurst was nearly flawless offensively, hitting .381 with eight kills and no errors.
Quincy showed more fight early in the second set. After falling behind 2-0, the Hawks answered with four consecutive points to take a 4-2 advantage behind an
Aysem Kocaalp service ace and several Rockhurst errors. The two sides eventually worked their way to a 6-6 tie before Rockhurst created the separation it needed, using a 9-2 stretch to move ahead 15-8. Quincy continued to battle and made a late push after falling behind 24-13, scoring four straight points before Rockhurst closed out the frame 25-17. The Hawks again struggled offensively, totaling nine kills and 10 errors for a -.029 hitting percentage, while Rockhurst hit .115 with seven kills and four errors.
Quincy came out with its best start of the match in the third, jumping ahead 5-2. Rockhurst quickly erased the advantage, however, answering with a 7-1 run to move in front 9-6. The Hawks stayed within striking distance and cut the margin to 11-9, but another Rockhurst push stretched the lead to 16-10. Quincy continued to fight and put together a late run after facing match point, scoring four consecutive points to pull within 24-19, but Rockhurst put away the final point to complete the sweep. Quincy posted its best hitting percentage of the match in the third at .053 with nine kills and seven errors, while Rockhurst totaled 15 kills and hit .186.
It was the Hawks' toughest offensive performance of the season, as Quincy finished with a season-low 24 kills and hit a season-worst -.030 with 27 attack errors. Rockhurst finished with 30 kills and a .211 hitting percentage while holding major advantages at the service line and net. Rockhurst recorded 11 service aces compared to four for Quincy and totaled nine blocks to the Hawks' four.
Kocaalp and
Olivia Curry led the Quincy attack with seven kills apiece. Curry was the Hawks' most efficient hitter, finishing at .294 with just two errors on 17 attempts. Monika Bíliková added four kills on .200 hitting along with two block assists and a service ace, while
Macey Rocco dished out 23 assists and added three block assists.
Selin Turgut led Quincy with 10 digs, while Kocaalp added nine and
Milica Stamenic finished with six.
The Hawks return home on Friday, October 9th when they welcome Southwest Baptist University to Pepsi Arena. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
