OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Stevenson women's volleyball team earned a 3–1 victory over Alvernia on Tuesday night inside Owings Mills Gymnasium, taking the match by scores of 25–15, 25–13, 23–25, and 25–13. With the win, the Mustangs improve to 4–2 overall and 1–0 in MAC Commonwealth play.
Set 1:
Stevenson opened the match with a strong offensive showing, quickly establishing a 3–0 lead behind kills from
Rachel Lenz and
Logan Burge. The Mustangs continued to build momentum, using a pair of service aces from Burge and another kill from Lenz to extend their advantage to 10–2.
Alvernia attempted to cut into the deficit, but Stevenson continued to find success offensively. Lenz added multiple kills throughout the set, while
Autumn Henry and Burge contributed key points at the net. A late kill from Henry brought the Mustangs to set point before Henry closed out the opening frame with another kill, giving Stevenson a 25–15 win and a 1–0 match lead.
Set 2:
The Mustangs carried their momentum into the second set, trading points with Alvernia early before pulling ahead 7–5. Stevenson then used a strong stretch of serving and attacking to build a 14–7 advantage, with Lenz recording back-to-back service aces.
Stevenson continued to control the set late, getting kills from Lenz and
Sydney Salazar before
Allison Gaus added consecutive service aces to push the Mustangs ahead 24–12. Lenz finished the set with a kill, as Stevenson claimed the frame 25–13 to take a 2–0 lead.
Set 3:
Alvernia responded in the third set, but Stevenson came out quickly with a 3–0 lead behind two early kills from Lenz. The Golden Wolves answered with a run of their own, eventually taking a 10–7 advantage before Stevenson began to chip away.
The Mustangs battled back to tie the set at 15–15, sparked by a pair of service aces from
Declyn Tooze and a kill from
Zoya Fazal. Stevenson continued to fight late, with
Charlotte McClain, Salazar and Lenz helping the Mustangs close within one at 22–23.
Alvernia held on, however, scoring the final two points to take the third set 25–23 and force a fourth frame.
Set 4:
Stevenson responded emphatically in the fourth set, jumping out to a 5–1 lead behind kills from Fazal and Henry and an Alvernia attack error. The Mustangs continued to apply pressure, extending their advantage to 13–3 after a kill from Lenz and a block involving Lenz and
Lillianna Hornickle.
Alvernia attempted to mount a comeback, but Stevenson maintained control throughout the remainder of the set. Salazar, Henry, Lenz and Burge each contributed kills, while
Isabella Terra added a service ace late in the frame.
Lenz finished the match with a final kill, as Stevenson closed out the fourth set 25–13 and secured the 3–1 victory.
Lenz led the Mustangs offensively with a match-high 18 kills on 36 attacks, hitting .389, while Salazar added 11 kills on 21 attacks with a .476 hitting percentage. Henry recorded nine kills while Burge contributed five. Stevenson finished the match with a .333 team hitting percentage and 53 kills.
Stevenson will return to action on Saturday, September 19, traveling to the McDaniel Tri-Match. The Mustangs will face McDaniel at 10 a.m. before taking on Marymount at noon.
