College of Charleston
Hofstra
The Journey Ends: Volleyball Falls to Hofstra in CAA Title Match
11/24/2014 1:23:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston volleyball's bid for a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance fell just short on Sunday as the Cougars lost to the Pride of Hofstra University in five-sets, 3-2 (24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 26-24, 8-15) in front of jam-packed crowd at the Johnson Center.
The Cougars finish the season with a 23-10 overall record, while the team's seven graduating seniors conclude their career in the maroon and white with a five-year overall mark of 131-39. As a group, they also managed a 90% conference win-rate, five conference championships and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Collectively, they will be remembered as one of the most successful graduating classes in CofC Volleyball history.
Against Hofstra on Sunday it was Melissa Morello who led the way offensively, tallying 16 kills, while seniors Sloane White and Cara Howley each capped their careers at The College with strong performances, notching 14 and 12, respectively. In one of her best matches of the season, freshman setter Mackenzie Cooler was also impressive, finishing with 7 kills and 17 assists.
For their efforts, White and Morello both earned CAA All-Tournament team recognition.
Defensively it was the usual duo of 2014 Libero of the Year Andi Zbojniewicz, as well as fifth-year senior Kallie McKown, who combined for 44 digs. Zbojniewicz also chipped in with seven assists, while McKown – the 2013 CAA Setter of the Year – dished out 26 of her own.
It was also a fitting end to the season for senior Catey Warren, who was fantastic for the Cougars over the last few weeks, earning herself a spot in today's starting line-up and promptly racking up seven blocks in her Cougar swan song.
After going down two sets to none, the Cougars – for the second day in a row – clawed back to force a fifth set after winning games three and four, 25-19 and 26-24. In the fifth however, it was all Hofstra, as the Pride quickly overcame an early 2-1 Cougar lead to score seven of the next eight points for a commanding 8-3 advantage. From there, CofC tried to mount a comeback, putting themselves within striking distance at 8-6 following a kill from Howley, but that was as close as the Cougars would come, eventually losing the set and the match, 15-8.
It's tough to put yourself down 2-0,” said College of Charleston head coach Jason Kepner. “You have to give credit to Hofstra for doing what they needed to do to win that fifth set. With that being said, I'm very proud of our group. We battled today, but came up just a little short.”
Kepner also talked proudly about his talented group of seniors:
“The seniors left it all on the table tonight and did everything they could possibly do to win the match. I'm proud of this group. I'm proud of the way they played and I'm proud of who they are. I know that they will all continue to be successful long after they leave The College.”
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