Nov. 19, 2005
Final Stats
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Navy volleyball team totaled a season-low hitting percentage in dropping a three-game match to Army, Friday night in the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament in Washington, D.C. The third-seeded Black Knights (21-6) defeated the second-seeded Midshipmen (21-8), 30-28, 30-21, 30-19. Army advances to Saturday's championship match where it will face top-seeded American.
"For the first time all year, it just wasn't our night," said Navy head coach Mike Schwob. "We fought hard throughout the match, but just couldn't make the plays we needed to."
The Mids started the match off strong, taking leads of 25-21 and 27-23 in game one. Navy then struggled on offense and allowed the Black Knights to score six-straight points to take a 29-27 lead. After a Navy sideout, the Black Knights ended the game on a Navy hitting error.
Navy never found its rhythm again and ended up being swept for the first time all season.
The Mids tallied a .086 hitting percentage in the match, a season low for Navy by over 40 points (.130). Navy outblocked Army 13-9 to limit the Black Knight offense to a .157 attack percentage.
Beth McArthur (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) led all players with 13 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, while adding five digs and a pair of blocks. Megan Boyd helped key the Navy defense by totaling 10 blocks, a new Navy record for the most blocks in a three-game match.
"It is always disappointing to have your season end, especially with a match such as this one," said Schwob. "For our players, however, I hope they look back at all of the amazing accomplishments they achieved this season. Becoming the first Navy team to beat Air Force, winning the N-Star match at Army and becoming the first Navy team to defeat Army twice in a season and setting a new record for the most Patriot League victories in a year with 10 are just some of the things they should feel proud of. This team was picked to place fourth in the league at the start of the year, but we ended the year in second place and became the only team to improve their preseason prediction by two spots. One loss does not make a season and I hope our players realize that."
