Holland, Mich. - The Denison women's volleyball team came away empty-handed as they finished play in the Hope College Tournament, as the Big Red lost to ranked foes in host Hope College and Calvin University. Both opponents swept the Big Red, as Denison drops to 2-5 overall on the year.
Match One | Denison 0-3 #23 Hope
The Flying Dutch had the upper hand on Saturday, as the home team opened the day with a one-sided 25-12 victory in set one. Denison was out-killed 13-5 in the game, as early attack errors hurt the road team. Hope would again fire sharply in the second set, spiking 11 kills to Denison's three, with five service aces boosting the Flying Dutch's cause in the 25-13 game.
Denison would save its best for last in the match, battling in the third set as they played to an even draw through 10 rallies. A kill from
Maeve Perry and a service ace from
Sarah McShane would give Denison a narrow lead after the deadlock, but Hope would soon pull in front, going on two different runs that led to the home side taking a 15-12 edge. Behind setter
Olivia Orr, Denison would manage to tie the game at 16, but could not overcome the deficit, as a pair of attack errors and a block error would hurt the Big Red in the finishing stretch, as Hope closed the match with a 25-20 third-set win.
Devon Moore led Denison in kills, recording five of the team's 14 kills in the defeat.
Emily Monachino, Ameila Kurtz, and
Sarah McShane each had four assists, while Kurtz and McShane had double-figure digs, with McShane leading the way with 12. McShane was a bright spot serving, as she had three of the team's four aces, and
Carolina Parkhurst had two total blocks.
Match Two | Denison 0-3 #15 Calvin
Match two of the day did not fair any better for Denison, as Calvin University played a near-perfect first set in a 25-8 victory. Denison was out-killed 13-5, as Calvin scored kills at a 54-percent rate. Denison played better in the second set and matched the Knights in kills with 12, but attack errors hurt the Big Red, as five errors played the difference in the 25-18 loss.
Like the matchup against Hope College, Denison would save its best volleyball for best, giving Calvin their money's worth in the set. The Big Red rell behind 11-6, but slowly worked back into play, as
Amelia Kurtz and
Emily Monachino connected with Claie Hamilton twice, as the senior's four kills brought the team within one. Calvin would surge back in front 17-13, but the Big Red managed to rally, as a block from
Maile Garrett and
Carolina Parkhurst sparked a 4-0 run. Two kills from Garrett helped bring the set to a draw, and another four point run featuring the freshman gave Denison a 21-19 lead.
Despite the lead, the Big Red were unable to close the game and force a fourth set, surrendering three points as Calvin reclaimed the advantage.
Emma Hampton tied the set with a kill, but a service error gave the sideout point to the Knights, as Calvin scored the final three points to close the sweep, winning 25-22.
Claire Hamilton had a strong offensive game, recording a team-high seven kills on a .227 hitting percentage.
Maeve Perry and
Maile Garrett each had seven kills in the loss.
Whitley Metz led the way with 13 digs, and
Sarah McShane extended her run of consecutive matches with double figure digs, recording 12 in the loss.
Emily Monachino recorded her sixth double-double with 10 assists and digs.
UP Next: Denison returns home on Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Earlham College, aiming to get back in the win column when they take the floor in Livingston Gymnasium.
