Seton Hall University
Maryland
Resilient Pirates Top Maryland, 3-1
9/1/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Seton Hall volleyball team won a four-set thriller (25-20, 26-28, 25-22, 26-24) over Maryland on Friday night. The Pirates move to 3-0 on the season, marking the program's best start since 2003.
Much like last weekend against James Madison, this contest was a back and forth battle that saw 30 tie scores and 15 lead changes throughout.
Seton Hall continued to get a number of strong individual contributions in the win. Sophomore Shelbey Manthorpe (Merion Station, Pa.) recorded her second triple-double in three matches with 10 kills, 32 assists, and 16 digs. More impressively, the setter had zero errors on 17 swings for a .588 attack percentage.
Freshman Molly Grammer (Center Valley, Pa.) set a career-high for the third straight match and led the team with 15 kills and five blocks. Freshman Amanda Hansen (Pewaukee, Wis.) was also extremely efficient, recording 11 kills with no errors on 20 total attempts (.550 hitting percentage).
In set one, SHU used a 6-1 run to overcome a slow start and take a 16-14 lead after Shelbey Manthorpe and Morgan DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich.) teamed up for a block. The advantage ballooned to 21-15 and the Pirates fended off a quasi-rally by the Terps (3-1) to take the set.
A Grammer kill gave Seton Hall a 12-9 cushion in set two, but Maryland would methodically respond. The Terrapins ripped off four consecutive points to take the lead back, 23-21. Facing two set points, the Pirates showed their toughness with a pair of kills by Grammer. Shelbey Manthorpe gave SHU a 26-25 edge and a serve for match point. However, Maryland scored the next three points to earn the split.
The Terrapins built up a four-point margin in the third and held it for much of the game until a Stacey Manthorpe kill knotted the set, 17-17. Maryland responded by capturing four of the next five points to put them back in control, but could not finish the Pirates off.
Down 21-18, Grammer continued to be SHU's go-to player, recording consecutive kills to start a 7-2 spurt to close the set and give the Pirates a 2-1 match lead.
Seton Hall continued to show its flare for the dramatics in the fourth, falling behind 17-12. After a timeout, the Pirates crept their way back into things and an ace by Alyssa Warren (Joliet, Ill.) pulled The Hall within 19-17.
The Pirates continued to apply pressure, but the Terps maintained the small lead and pushed SHU to set point at 24-22. Hansen gave the Pirates a clutch side-out with a kill and an attack error squared the game. Grammer followed with her final kill of the match to push Seton Hall to set point and Hansen sealed the victory with a solo block.
The Pirates have two matches on the slate tomorrow to wrap up the tournament. SHU will take on Ohio State at 11:00 a.m. before going up against Binghamton at 5:00 p.m.
