Volleyball Falls To Two Tough Foes At Tri-Match

Volleyball's two matches during Saturday's tri-match were the last two matches of the regular season for the team. No matter how you looked at it, both matches were going to be very challenging for the Mustangs, who would face Harrisburg Area Community College (14-1) and Ocean County College (14-3). The Mustangs had already been swept by the Hawks earlier in the season, but were looking forward to their rematch. Ocean on the other hand had beaten similar teams as the Mustangs and lost to similar teams. Montgomery wasn't exactly sure what to expect from the Vikings.

The first match of the day had Montgomery facing off against HACC. All-EPAC member Miljana Vukoslavovic (FR, Serbia) received an injury during warmups and did not play the first set. Her impact on the team showed, as the Hawks would dominate much of the set, winning 25-6.

However, Vukoslavovic would return in the second set and, now that they were warmed up, the Mustangs were able to put a much better effort into the second set. The set went back and forth, and the score would eventually be tied. However, HACC pulled away late and took the second set 25-20.

The third set was just as close, with Sophomore Laura Reeser (Hatfield) grabbing three kills, the most of any Mustang in any set in the match. Montgomery built up a big 17-10 lead, but the Hawks came storming back, eventually taking the lead and winning the set 25-20.

In the second match, Ocean fell 3-1 to HACC, giving the Mustangs hope that they could upset the Vikings in the third match. The first set of that third match was one of the most exciting sets for the Mustangs all season. Both teams went back-and-forth, thanks in part to Rebecca Godshall's (FR, Souderton) five kills and Molly McCarthy's (FR, Souderton) four kills. The score ended up being tied at 25-25 and went into a win-by-two situation. The Vikings would eventually squeak out a 28-26 win, the highest point total in any set so far for both teams.

Just when you thought things couldn't be any closer between these two teams, the second set went right into overtime as well. This time, the Vikings stopped the Mustangs at 26-24. Feeling the effects of losing two straight tiebreakers, the Mustangs couldn't keep their momentum going in the third set. Despite McCarthy and Grace Terrizzi (FR, Abington) both grabbing the most blocks in a single game they've had all season (with six and three respectively), the Mustangs lost the third set and the match 25-14.

Even though the regular season is over for the Mustangs, they are eagerly awaiting the seeds to be announced for the NJCAA Region XIX playoffs, as they have already clinched a playoff spot.