Monday, November 1, 2004

By Bob Heller
USIP Sports Information Director

The USP women's volleyball team salvaged a split of Saturday's tri-match with a 3-0 win over Immaculata University, assuring themselves of a winning season, their first since 1996.

USP took the first game 30-21, the second 32-30 and the third 30-28. In USP's first match of the day, the Devils lost to Richard Stockton College 3-1 (21-30, 18-30, 30-28, 16-30).

Emily Roth (Jr., Dallastown HS/York, PA) recorded her 23rd double-double in 29 matches this season with 15 kills and 19 digs against the Mighty Macs. Roth committed only three errors with 32 swings to hit .375. Lindsey Wenderoth (Fr., Owings Mills HS/Owings Mills, MD) added 18 digs and Raeann Petruccelli(So., The Gunnery, New Milford, CT) had 28 assists for the Devils.

In the match against Stockton, Roth recorded her 500th dig of the season, eclipsing the school record of 499 which she herself set last season.With 24 digs against Stockton and the 19 Roth had against Immaculata, Emily now has 521 digs on the season.

It was a shaky start for the Devils in the opening game against Immaculata, as the Mighty Macs ran off eight service points early to take a 10-4 lead. Immaculata still led 17-12 when the Devils forced a side out to pull within four 17-13. With Michelle Hogga (So., St. Pius X HS/ Linfield, PA) serving, USP scored five straight points to take an 18-17 lead. The Devils increased their lead to 25-19 before the Mighty Macs pulled within three 25-51. A side out by the Devils and four straight points with Roth serving closed out the game 30-21.

The Devils found themselves playing catch-up in the second game as well, trailing early, then taking a a 15-14 lead only to fall behind again 24-20. The Devils rallied to tie the game at 27-27 and led 29-28 before Immaculata tied the game again. With the score tied at 30-30, USP forced a side out for a 31-30 advantage. The Devils, with Roth serving then closed out the game on the next point to win 32-30.

The third game saw seven ties and two lead changes as both teams battled for the win. USP took the early 7-4 lead only to have the Mighty Macs tie the game at 10-10 and then retake the lead 18-17. The devils retook the lead 21-18 only to have Immaculata come back and tie the game again at 25-25 and again at 28-28 before USP took the last two points to win the game 30-28 and the match.

In the opener, the Devils looked flat and slow on their feet as Stockton took a quick 2-0 lead. In game three the Devils took a 24-16 lead and led 29-22 before Stockton forced a side out and made the game interesting, scoring five straight points to make the score, 29-28. USP then forced a side out to win the game 30-28. Stockton took the final game 30-16 as the Devils managed just seven points off serve.

The Devils are now 17-12. USP will take on Philadelphia University in a non-conference matchup on Monday, November 1, 2004 at the Bobby Morgan Arena.