On Monday, October 16, senior Madison Sappia was named a MAC Freedom Player of the Week, and just a week later, on Monday, October 23, the league announced her continuation of the title.
The first award of the title came following Women’s Volleyball’s four wins against Lebanon Valley College, Denison University, Ithaca College, and Rochester Institute of Technology. During this time, Sappia averaged 5.47 digs per set and 17 digs per match. Additionally, she reached a career-high of 31 through the team’s game against Ithaca College throughout the five sets played. The game ended with Sappia totaling six aces and 14 assists.
The next week started with a 3-0 conference win over King’s College during the team’s Mental Health Awareness Game on Wednesday, October 18, before the team fought in the Scranton Tri-Match on Saturday, October 21. The day started with a tough loss of 1-3 against No.1 Juniata College, though the Ducks ended the day with a 3-1 victory against the University of Scranton.
Over this time, Sappia averaged 5.64 digs per set, totaling 62 digs and eight aces. These stats led to her being named MAC Freedom Player of the Week for the second week in a row, along with graduate Rachel Rouse of Women’s Soccer.
Following the Scranton Tri-Match, the Ducks took on Arcadia University on Tuesday, October 24, as the Duck Country Game. Both sophomore Vivian Lisboa and junior Cleo Shannon had 11 kills throughout the game, Lisboa also contributed four blocks, causing a major impact on the team’s 0.252 hitting percentage. While the team lost the first set 19-25, they took back the match, winning the next three sets 25-10, 25-10, and 25-14 respectively. Not only did the team secure a 3-1 victory in this conference match, but also the #1 seed in the MAC Freedom Tournament, as well as a position in the postseason playoffs.
Their next match brought less success, with a 0-3 loss to Stockton University on Saturday, October 28. Despite Shannon’s 13 kills and one block, the team fell 22-25, 24-26, and 21-25 in the three sets played, with a 0.172 hitting percentage. This is the second of the last three non-conference games the team has faced and lost to.
Today, Friday, November 3, the Ducks will face NYU at NYU at 7 p.m., before heading to Madison, NJ, tomorrow, Saturday, November 4, where they will compete in the Drew Tri-Match against Drew University and Rowan University.
