Freshman Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) recorded a team-high 12 kills, but it was not enough as the Simmons volleyball team fell to Emerson, 3-2, by scores of 22-25, 25-20, 11-25, 25-12 and 15-7 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Sharks fall to 11-7 overall, GNAC, 4-3, while the Lions improve to 13-8 overall, GNAC 6-1.
The Sharks were eager to pull out a victory from the first serve as Simmons showed complete poise and determination to play point for point in the first set. Both teams battled back and forth feeling each other out, as Simmons started to pull away with a 20-15 lead in the first set. Strong play at the net from junior captain Candyce Arena (Brookline, Mass.) and sophomore Taylor Pederson (San Antonio, Texas) kept Emerson's front line guessing where to swing throughout the set as Simmons would go on to close the first set with a score of 25-22.
In game two Emerson rallied back showing why they're considered one of the elite teams in the GNAC, rallying back from an early 1-0 deficit to tie the match at 1-1 with a final set score of 25-20.
Game three was a one-sided affair, as the Sharks came out firing at all angles, including six consecutive service aces from Flynn to give the Sharks a commanding 18-9 lead. The Sharks closed out the third set 25-11.
The fourth game proved to be huge momentum shift as Emerson was determined to push this contest to five games, taking the fourth game, 25-12 and going on to win the final set, 15-7.
Flynn had an outstanding match registering the first triple-double of her collegiate career with 12 kills, 15 service aces, and 19 digs while also adding one solo block and two assist blocks. Junior Amanda Weaver (Eaton, Ohio) was solid for the offense tallying a team-high 28 assists for the Sharks as well as 15 digs and 3 kills. Pederson was strong at the net for Simmons playing one of the best games of her career, tallying seven kills on 10 attempts with only 1 error.
"This was the hardest fought game Simmons Volleyball has encountered since I have taken the reigns," said Head Coach Jason Conetta. "I'm extremely proud of everyone on this team, they fought hard all afternoon, unfortunately when you go to five games, somebody has to lose, for us we ended up on the wrong side. They understand what it takes to be on top in the GNAC and I expect them to have an excellent bid in the playoffs and make a great push in the GNAC tournament."
The Sharks return to action on Thursday, October 23 when they take on non-conference foe Wentworth Institute at 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson Recreation Center.
Match Notes:
Meaghan Flynn registered 12 service aces in game three