The Montclair State University volleyball is on a roll after taking down Rowan University in straight sets Thursday night.
This win improves the Red Hawks record to 13-6 and marks their fifth-straight win.
Montclair State is on a five-game winning streak.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca Photo credit: Matt DeLuca
Head coach Eduardo Stawinski said that in addition to hitting, his team did a great job passing the ball.
“We had a very good serve receive,” Stawinski said. “First contact is important. [Junior setter Emily Carcich] did a really great job distributing the game, so we weren’t really predictable. We tried to incorporate the middles a little bit too so I think that was a big plus.”
With Montclair State and Rowan both playing well, the initial set was very close. However, the set was eventually won by a score of 25-17 by the Red Hawks.
Freshman outside hitter Bryn Bautista accumulated the most kills for the Red Hawks with 15. Freshman right side Sarah Capone recorded 13 and freshman outside hitter Camryn Muuss recorded 11.
Capone said that she caught the Rowan defense on their heels and took advantage.
“I got lucky with a couple of my shots that I was hitting, and then that helped me get into my flow,” Capone said. “I started hitting the ball a little bit harder because I just built my confidence through my shot.”
Montclair State found themselves down in the second set as the Profs built a 12-6 lead early. However, the Red Hawks battled back and closed out the set, taking the middle frame 25-23.
Stawinski said that his team was able to settle in before taking the third and final set.
“We were on our heels, so we needed to reset, and then understand that, we just have to play a little bit more consistently,” Stawinski said. “Knowing our responsibilities on defense, knowing a little bit what’s open on the other side. We lost track of that a little bit, but I knew once we settled back into our game, we kind of let those nerves of them taking the lead flush them.”
A 10-1 run from the Red Hawks helped Montclair State overpower the Profs. The final score of the closing set was 25-20.
Muuss said that the team’s high energy levels played a key role in the victory.
“We pick people up,” Muuss said. “It’s a game of who makes a mistake first, so if that happens on our side, then we pick our heads up and fall into the next point.”
The Red Hawks sit in first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca Photo credit: Matt DeLuca
Montclair State continues conference play Tuesday against Ramapo College. Capone said that every game for the rest of the season is critical.
“Every single game you have to treat as a state championship,” Capone said. “We’re sitting at a really good spot right now, especially after this game, we’re going to be ranked number [one] in the conference, so that means that we get a semifinal at home. That really just helps with the energy being in your own home gym.”
