Sept. 10, 2010
Box Score
WASHINGTON - The Georgetown volleyball squad (4-5) defeated Long Island (0-7) in five sets, 3-2. In the team's first match at the Blackbird Invitational, Kortney Robinson (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove) recorded 17 kills and 10 digs, her first double-double of the season and 14th overall. Ashley Malone (San Jose, Calif./St. Francis) also recorded a double-double, her second consecutive and 12th career, tallying 51 assists and 11 digs. Elizabeth Riggins (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita) and Lindsay Wise (Raleigh, N.C./Raleigh Charter) each notched 13 kills and hit over .300 in the match. Wise added 10 blocks, recording the first double-double of her career. The set scores were 25-23, 25-14, 22-25, 22-25, 15-9.
In the deciding fifth set, the Hoyas came out strong. GU earned the first seven points, which included two kills from Robinson and three service aces from Samantha Trauth (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North), who tallied six service aces on the night. A kill from Riggins closed out the set at 15-9.
"We played hard tonight and fought back," said Head Coach Arlisa Williams. "I am glad the team showed some fight and excited about what that means for us in the future."
The Blue & Gray began the first set down 9-3 and played most of the set from behind. After tying the set at 19, 20, and 22, the Hoyas closed out the set at 25-23 with two kills from Riggins. GU hit .250 as a team in the first set.
"Down 19-17, I called a timeout and we were able to play cleanly and come back to win the set, 25-23," said Williams. "We made no errors after that timeout and continued that clean play into the second set."
During the second set, the Hoyas were able to get the lead early. Ahead 10-5, kills from Wise and Robinson, in addition to errant play from Long Island, helped GU score six of seven, making the score 16-6. At 24-14, Trauth capitalized on an open opportunity and put the set away at 25-14. Brooke Bachesta (Sammamish, Wash./Eastside Catholic) notched four kills and a .375 hitting percentage in the set. Wise tallied four of her ten blocks in the second set with two kills.
Williams was happy with Wise' contribution, stating, "Lindsay had a high hitting efficiency and ten blocks. Those are really good numbers." Part of the reason Wise was on point was due to Malone's execution. "Ashley Malone set a good overall match, utilizing all of our hitters and sticking to the game plan."
The Hoya effort lost some of its intensity during the third and fourth sets. With 10 ties and two lead changes in the third set, the Hoyas came within one at 23-22 but could not hold off the Blackbirds, falling 25-22. The Blue & Gray could not get a lead in the fourth set and dropped the fourth 25-22. Wise and Riggins had five kills each in the fourth set.
The Hoyas continue competition at the Blackbird Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 11. GU will play Yale at 12:30 p.m. and NJIT at 3 p.m.
"I am looking forward to seeing the team fight against those Yale Bulldogs," finished Williams.
