Volleyball Splits in Final Day of Tournament :: Knights claim third place at Haverford Invitational

Sept. 2, 2007

ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann College volleyball team fell to Susquehanna University in five games (30-28, 30-19, 31-33, 26-30, 20-18) at the Haverford College Invitational Tournament. Neumann then came back in the afternoon to beat former conference rival Arcadia University in straight sets (30-18, 30-13, and 30-21). The Knights are now 2-2 on the season.

The first game against the Crusaders was a tough one as Susquehanna came out strong in the first two games. But the Knights would not be defeated so easily. They came back in the third game of the match to win it 33-31 and took the fourth game 30-26. Although in the final game of the match Susquehanna went ahead to beat the Knights 20-18, there were many outstanding performances on the Neumann side. Rachael Sokolovich (Media, Pa. /Ridley), had 15 kills in the match and had 11 digs on the defensive end. Ashley Mathis (Norristown, Pa. /Norristown) had a team high 17 kills while Emilee Gruse (Lafayette, In. /St. Mark's) had 16 kills. Julia Tarloski (Malvern, Pa. /Bishop Shanahan) added 15 kills and 3 block assists. Assisting Sokolovich on defense was West Chester, Pa. native Meghan Wilson (19 digs), Brookhaven Pa. native Melissa Haines (13 digs) and Folsom, Pa. native Chrystina Amelotti (7 digs).

In the final match of the tournament Neumann rebounded from its morning loss as the Neumann Knights defeated the Arcadia Knights in three games (30-18, 30-13, and 30-21) for their second win of the season.

Neumann was resilient in all three games against Arcadia, who played a hard fought match, but the Knights ended on top.

Sokolovich had another standout game as she put down 13 kills. Freshman newcomer Stephanie Angelucci (Collegeville, Pa. /Methacton) also put up key numbers leading the team with 19 assists while adding 10 kills. Outside hitter Lauren Sheehan (Port Carbon, Pa. /Nativity BVM) contributed 4 kills and Meghan Wilson added 10 digs.

The Eagles placed third in the Haverford College Invitational and hope to make it two wins in a row as they play Baptist Bible College in their season home opener on Tuesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m.