THE RUNDOWN
- Final Score: Gannon 3, Shippensburg 0
- Set Scores: 25-17, 25-13, 25-18
- Records: Gannon 16-5 (9-1 PSAC), Shippensburg 15-4 (7-1 PSAC)
- Location: Heiges Field House – Shippensburg, Pa.
- The Short Story: Gannon used a fast start to blank PSAC Southeast-leading Shippensburg, 3-0, on Friday night. Ashley Beyers (Lanark, Ill./Eastland) and Ally Smith (Penfield, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) led the way for the Lady Knights each recording their sixth double-doubles of the season.
GAME DAY MEDIA CENTER
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"We felt like we needed a good bounce-back performance, and we did it tonight against a good team that probably was coming down a bit after a big win on Tuesday," Head coach
Matt Darling said. "That's how it goes in a good league. I'm just glad we finished on top this time."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gannon wasted little time doubling up Shippensburg, 10-5, to force a Raider timeout. The Knights then pushed their lead to seven, 17-10, following a kill from Ashley McClung (Charleston, W.Va./George Washington). Gannon went on to take the opening frame, 25-17.
- The Knights continued to apply pressure opening up a 6-2 lead in the second set after a kill from Lauren Sampson (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson). Gannon then expanded their edge to double digits, 14-4, following a block from Maggie Greenfield (Woodstock, Ontario/Woodstock Collegiate Institute) and McClung. The Knights won the second set, 25-13.
- Shippensburg pushed back creating an early 7-3 edge in the third set to force a Gannon timeout. The Knights stormed back with six unanswered points to capture the lead, 9-7. Gannon then began to pull away, 18-13, after a service ace from Smith. Gannon went on to close out and take the set, 25-18.
GAME NOTES
- The Knights recorded their ninth sweep of the season.
- Gannon held the edge in kills (43-26), assists (38-23) and digs (79-78). The Knights also posted a .231 hitting percentage.
- Gannon reached double digits in aces for the fourth time this season with 10.
- Beyers contributed her third straight and sixth double-double of the season with a match-high 32 assists to go along with 16 digs.
- Smith tallied her sixth double-double of the season with a team-best 10 kills and 13 digs. She also added a team-high three aces.
- Toni Leitshush notched a team-best 26 digs on the defensive end. She has produced at least 20 digs in nine contests this season.
- Four Knights reached double digits in digs.
UP NEXT
- Gannon returns to action hosting Mercyhurst (13-5, 5-2 PSAC) on Thursday at the Hammermill Center. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
- Earlier this season, Gannon topped Mercyhurst, 3-1, on the road. The Knights have won the last seven meetings and lead the all-time series, 46-26.