Sept. 4, 2005
Final Stats
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LORETTO, Pa. - Navy did not commit a hitting error during the decisive fifth game to spark the Midshipmen to a season-opening 28-30, 30-16, 30-27, 26-30, 15-9 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.), Thursday night in Loretto, Pa.
After the two teams split the opening four games, Navy knocked down seven kills on 22 swings during the fifth game for a .310 hitting percentage, while limiting the Red Flash to four kills and forcing three errors on 19 attempts for a .053 percentage in the game.
"It was a little shaky for both teams at the start of the match, as was to be expected in the first match of the year," said Navy head coach Mike Schwob. "Both teams settled down and we each scored off of long rallies. We caught the last momentum swing of the match for the victory.
"We really served well in game five and forced them out of their system. That enabled us to build an early lead and hold it lead throughout the game for the win."
Navy won the match by hitting nearly 50 points higher than Saint Francis did -- .171-.126 -- and tallying 12.5 blocks to just 2.0 for the Red Flash.
Beth McArthur (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) led Navy with 11 kills and a .421 attack percentage, while also dropping in three aces and tallying five blocks. Rachel Dougherty (So., Derwood, Md.), Ashley Musser (Sr., Industry, Pa.) and Jessie Sims (Fr., Etowah, N.C.) each recorded eight kills for Navy. Dougherty also hit .458 on the night (8-1-16), with Sims hauling a match-high 22 digs and four blocks.
Navy will continue its season-opening road trip with matches Saturday in Buffalo against UMES and Canisius.
