Video Highlights & Interview
THE BASICS
Score: at Gannon 3, Edinboro 0
Set scores: (25-19, 25-22, 25-23)
Records: Gannon (13-0, 6-0), Edinboro (12-3, 5-1 PSAC)
Location: Erie, Pa. – Hammermill Center
The Short Story: Improving to 13-0 overall, the Gannon women's volleyball team matched the best start for a Lady Knight squad since the 2003 season. The Lady Knights secured their fourth straight sweep with a win over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent Edinboro Saturday afternoon at the Hammermill Center. The Lady Knights remain the only team unbeaten in conference action with a 6-0 record.
THE BASICS
- Sophomore Hannah Kren (Waukesha, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) picked up her fifth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 15 digs. Fellow sophomore Jordyn Thiery (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) led the Lady Knights with a match-best 14 kills along with two block assists.
- Senior Megan Wendel (Aurora, Ohio/Kenston) also earned her sixth double-double with 28 assists and a team-best 18 digs. Senior Taryn Graham (Huron, Ohio/Huron) added 16 digs and five assists.
- At the net, senior Lynne Hibbard (West Barnstable, Mass./Barnstable) led the Lady Knights with seven block assists followed by junior Kayla Knickerbocker (Richland, Mich./Gull Lake) with four block assists.
- The Lady Knights held a .172 hitting percentage, while the Fighting Scots performed at .080.
- The match featured 12 tied scores and four lead changes including three in the opening set.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Lady Knights opened the match with a 25-19 win in the opening set over the Fighting Scots. The two squads witnessed eight tied scores and three lead changes in the opening set alone. Thiery led the Lady Knights' attack with six kills. Beyond the opening service error, the Lady Knights were able to fend off the Fighting Scots until the score was knotted at eight a piece. In the midst of a 4-0 run, the Fighting Scots were able to take a 10-8 lead forcing a Lady Knights' timeout. With the set tied at 15 all, the Lady Knights erupted for six straight points to take a 21-15 lead with three of their final four points in the stretch off Fighting Scots' errors. Thiery managed to seal the 25-19 win with her sixth kill set by Wendel.
- Each squad recorded its best hitting performance of the day in the second set. Thiery added six more kills to help the Lady Knights clinch a 25-22 set victory and 2-0 led in the match. The Lady Knights were able to creation separation in the set off a 7-2 run to take a 16-9 lead. During the run, the Lady Knights capitalized on four Fighting Scots' errors. The cushion provided the Lady Knights with just enough to pull off the win despite the Fighting Scots pulling within one, 22-21. Thiery registered three of the Lady Knights final points to capture the set win.
- The Lady Knights clinched the sweep in a close final set by the score of 25-23. Late in the set, the Lady Knights pulled together five unanswered points to take a 22-15 lead. The Fighting Scots did not back down in the final stretch, answering with a 8-2 run to pull within one of the Lady Knights, 24-23 following a service ace. It would Thiery coming through once again with a kill to hand the Lady Knights the win and their fourth straight sweep.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- In the all-time series, the Lady Knights improved to 27-24 against Edinboro.
- Entering the match, the Lady Knights received votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II National Rankings.
- The Lady Knights have yet to surrender a set to an opponent at the Hammermill Center this season with an 18-0 record in sets played.
- The Lady Knights matched the best start for a GU squad since the 2003 season when the team opened with a 13-0 record.
WHAT'S NEXT
Gannon will play its next seven matches on the road including a four-match stop at a PSAC East/West Crossover hosted by Slippery Rock. The Lady Knights return to action Tuesday, Sept. 30, at rival Mercyhurst. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.
