ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Holy Cross kept the Navy volleyball team out of a consistent rhythm throughout a three-set victory (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) by the Crusaders (12-11, 5-5) over the Mids (8-10, 6-4), Friday night at the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis.
"Holy Cross is playing the cleanest volleyball in the league right now and our offense fell short," said Navy head coach
Paco Labrador.
Set One
The score was tied 13 times with the last coming when Holy Cross was in the middle of a 4-0 run that gave it a 20-17 lead. Navy drew to within two points at both 20-18 and 21-19, but the Crusaders scored the final four points of the set to take the 1-0 lead.
Set Two
Starting a match down a set hasn't been an issue for the Mids this season since the start of league play. Navy entered tonight with a 1-8 record in the first set of its nine league matches, but rebounded to post a 6-3 record in set two. This time, however, Navy dug 4-1, 8-3 and 13-7 holes for itself. The Mids kept chipping away at the deficit and closed to within three points at 14-11 and 17-14, then made it a one-point difference at 19-18. Holy Cross tallied a kill, an ace and a block to regain a 22-18 lead. Navy cut the lead in half at 22-20 before the Crusaders scored back-to-back points to reach set point with a 24-20 lead.
Set Three
What proved to be the final set in the 90-minute match featured 14 ties and three lead changes. Navy battled back from an 18-15 deficit to tie the score at 18-18. The score would be knotted at 19 and 20, then a kill by Holy Cross gave it a 21-20 lead. The Crusaders served the next point and their offering hit the tape and fell over, completely out of reach of any Navy passer to double their lead to 22-20. A kill, a Navy attack error and a service ace ended the match.
Statistical Summary
Both teams recorded 117 attempts on the night. Holy Cross finished with just six more kills than Navy, 43-37, but the Mids tallied 10 more attack error than the Crusaders, 22-12. That gave the visitors a .265-.128 advantage in hitting percentage.
Farrah Eike and
Paige Buzzerio each recorded 10 kills for Navy and setter
Isa Boyd led all passers with 12 digs.
Up Next
Navy will be back on the Wesley A. Brown Field House floor Saturday at noon when it plays host to Colgate.
"We have a short turnaround," said Labrador, "and we will rest and continue to fight to defend our home floor against a physical Colgate team."
