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Centenary (NJ) Comes From Behind to Defeat Neumann, Remains Unbeaten in CSAC Play
Story Courtesy of the Centenary Athletics Site
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 4, 2010) – The Centenary women’s volleyball team (6-14, 3-0) rallied from behind to defeat Neumann University (8-11, 3-2) in a thrilling five-set contest in Folkner Family Gymnasium on Monday Night.
After dropping two of the first three sets and trailing throughout most of the tightly contested fourth set, the Lady Cyclones refused to quit. Neumann served for the match on three separate occasions at 26-25, 27-26 and 28-27, but each time the Lady Cyclones responded. With Centenary leading 31-30, junior Kelsey Walter (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) clubbed an ace and ended the classic fourth set and knotted the match at two sets a piece.
The Lady Cyclones used the momentum to build and hold a four-point lead throughout most the fifth set. Neumann put together a run and trailed 13-12 in the deciding set, but Centenary would not be denied. After coming from behind and fighting off several match points by Neumann a set earlier, they finally had a match point of their own and senior Kelly Zegarowitz (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) delivered the knockout blow with an ace to end the match.
"Obviously our record doesn't indicate how tough this team is. We've been fortunate to participate in some strong tournaments, which have really prepared us for conference play", head coach Dinu Dan said. "I'm just very happy for our girls. They worked hard, played as a team and deserved to win".
The victory improves Centenary's CSAC record to 3-0. It's the first time the Lady Cyclones have started conference play 3-0 in the program's history. The victory also makes them 3-0 at home this season as well.
Sophomore Jelena Markovic (Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina/The Economic School) finished the game with 34 assists 14 digs and 11 kills. While Kelsey Walter finished with 20 digs and junior Devon Paffendorf (Hackettstown, N.J./Mount Olive) registered 20 kills for the Lady Cyclones. For Centenary, it was the second time in the last week, they hosted a game that lasted five sets. They defeated Delaware Valley in five sets one week ago in non-conference action.
The Lady Cyclones are next in action on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m. when they travel to face Keystone College.
