PAXTON, Mass. -- The Anna Maria College women’s volleyball team defeated Curry College in straight sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-15) during their home opener on Wednesday night at The Fuller Activities Center. The win evens the AMCATS’ record at 2-2 overall, while the Colonels fall to 0-2 in their inaugural season.
After the AMCATS took game one by the score of 25-20, the Colonels regrouped in game two, jumping out to an early 7-1 advantage. However, the AMCATS were able to withstand the charge and begin methodically chipping away at the Curry lead, eventually tying the score at 11-all.
Moments later, trailing 13-12, the AMCATS received an ace from sophomore Melissa Stedman and consecutive blocks by sophomore Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.), to build a 15-14 advantage.
The Colonels came right back, taking three of the next four points and tying the game on an from freshman Jenna Butera.
With the score knotted at 21-all, AMC Head Coach Elysce Tackmann called a strategic timeout. Out of the break, the AMCATS ran off four consecutive points, including a kill by Acosta and an ace from Alicia Bonneau (Worcester, Mass.), to take game two 25-21.
In the third game, Anna Maria jumped out to a quick 5-1 advantage, receiving an ace from freshman Amanda Glennon (Wollaston, Mass.) during the run.
Curry responded with a 6-1 run of their own to even the score at seven apiece. The AMCATS rebounded to Curry’s run in a big way, going on a 10-1 run to give them a sizeable 18-10 cushion. During their surge, the AMCATS received huge contributions from Sandy Acosta who chipped in with a kill, a block and a fine hustle play to set-up a kill by Alicia Bonneau. Freshman Fabienne Jules (Leominster, Mass.), and junior Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass.) also added aces during the stretch.
Curry made a valiant effort down the stretch with a 5-0 run, but it proved to be too-little-too-late, as the AMCATS went on to win the game 25-15 and sweep the match three games to none.
Both teams will return to action on Saturday, with the Colonels looking to bounce back versus Mount Saint Mary, and the AMCATS traveling to take on Johnson State at 1:00 pm.
(Courtesy of Anna Maria Sports Information)
