Boston College volleyball entered Power Gym last Thursday on a mission, outmatching its crosstown rival Northeastern Huskies en route to a commanding win, three sets to none.
The beginning of the first set was hard-fought, with each team trading blows. The Eagles found themselves behind early thanks to a few hitting errors and an effective Husky blocking game. However, the Eagles broke through to claim a 9-8 lead, after senior Katty Workman came up with a kill and ace on consecutive points. The Eagles would not relinquish the lead as they marched their way to a 25-20 win in the first set.
The Eagles returned for the second set with energy and focus, which manifested in the form of a 25-15 rout. Where the Eagles had committed seven hitting errors in the first set, they managed to limit their errors to only two in the second, wearing out a sluggish Northeastern defense at the net. The set was terminated with authority on a powerful kill by sophomore Sol Calvete off the arm of a diving Husky. The kill sealed the Eagles’ second set victory, and the team’s confidence looked to be on full display.
It should come as no surprise that the reinvigorated Eagles were led in the second set once again by Workman, the ACC kills-per-set leader, who boasted an impressive six kills in the set on only nine attempts. This was a marked improvement from her first set where she registered only two kills on eight attempts.
“She started off slow but was just able to maintain her confidence and build and generate a little momentum for herself,” head coach Chris Campbell said after the game. “I was really happy with her ability to make those changes and make those adjustments as the match went on.”
The Eagles’ momentum continued to grow as they quashed a small Husky resurgence early in the set and didn’t look back as they sent their opponents packing with a 25-12 win. The third set is where the Eagles really took flight as they notched their highest hitting percentage, putting away 13 thunderous kills on just 28 attempts for a .357 hitting percentage.
Likewise, on defense, the Eagles stifled the Huskies, forcing them to commit nine errors while only converting six kills on 37 attempts, for a hitting percentage of -.081. The Eagles also out-blocked the Huskies 10-4, a stat that Campbell credited to junior Madisen Lydon.
“There were a couple plays that she kept alive by making some pretty good digs,” Campbell said. “That stability really bought our block a little bit of time to get settled and we ended up with 10 blocks, which is pretty good.”
The victory marks the Eagles’ second consecutive win in straight sets as the team appears to be starting to hit its stride. As ACC matches loom, Campbell expressed concern with his team’s slow start, but was impressed by its resolve and determination.
“To their credit, the girls rallied and improved their play as the match went on, which is what we are always trying to do,” he said.
Featured Image by Arthur Bailin / Heights Staff
