By JOSHUA NATOLI
Sports Editor
The Golden Knights took to Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, New York for non-conference matches against the Bloomfield Deacons and the host Redhawks this past Friday and Saturday respectively.
The Golden Knights began their two-day venture by whipping the brooms out for a 3-0 sweep of the Deacons. They followed that performance by knocking off the Redhawks 3-1 the very next day.
Golden Knights sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Lace earned a team-high twelve kills in the rout of Bloomfield. She shared success with freshman middle hitter Maryellen Devic with nine kills and five blocks and sophomore Ariana Wilson, who tallied three of the team’s ten service aces.
The Deacons were led by junior outside hitter Deandra Black and freshman middle hitter Erica Griffith who earned four kills each while freshman setter Jacquelyn Madlock contributed eleven assists and ten digs.
After the first set was tied at 14 apiece, Saint Rose attacked with five straight points which included two kills for Devic and Lace.
A streaky Golden Knights squad pulled away from Bloomfield in the final two sets to close out the victory.
The following day, the Golden Knights dropped the first set against Roberts Wesleyan, but came back firing to take the next three by a combined score of 26 to defeat their hosts.
The combo of Golden Knights sisters Katy and Tori Daniels was a menace for the Redhawks. Libero Katy tallied 29 digs while Tori set up her squad with 28 assists. Alex Gagliano hit for eleven kills with a .357 hitting percentage to go along with five blocks. Lace led in the kills department with twelve.
Roberts Wesleyan freshman Alexandre Tahuri earned the game-high for kills with 14 while also conjuring eleven digs. Sophomore setter Maggie Concannon led the match with 36 assists.
In the first set the Redhawks took control and never let go with five Tahuri kills and fifteen Concannon assists.
The next three sets were all Golden Knights, starting out with fourteen kills, four belonging to Gagliano that helped earn a .571 hitting percentage. Saint Rose scored six of the set’s first seven points to gain control.
The strength of the Golden Knights defense contributed in a big way in the winning of the third set. Saint Rose hit for 23 digs and forced eleven Redhawks attacking errors. Katy Daniels earned nine digs followed by right side hitter Carissa Dube who garnered three kills.
The final set saw both squads tied at eleven before the Golden Knights tore up Roberts Wesleyan with a 14-3 run that ended the set. Lace contributed to the streak with five kills while Tori Daniels shared on ten assists.
The Golden Knights’ next contest will be at home in the Nolan Gymnasium this Friday for another non-conference match, this time against the Warriors of Nyack College at 7 p.m.
