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Coast Guard Advances to NCAA Regional Semifinal
NEW YORK, N.Y.--(11/12/10)--Sophomore Lauren Bloch had a
double-double with 13 kills, 13 digs and a pair of aces leading
third-seeded Coast Guard to a 3-1 win over sixth-seeded Roger
Williams in the first round of the NCAA Division III Volleyball New
York Regional at New York University.
The Bears, who have now won 19 of their last 20 matches, came out
flat and dropped the first game 25-16 before winning three straight
25-17, 25-16, 25-19 to advance to the regional semifinals on
Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Coast Guard, making its fifth appearance in the NCAA tournament,
improves to 30-5 on the season, winning 30 games for the first time
since the Bears won a school-record 36 in 1995. The Bears also
improve to 5-0 all-time in the first round of the NCAA
tournament.
Roger Williams controlled play in the opening set and took control
by scoring five straight points for a 17-8 lead enroute to a 25-16
win.
The key point of the match game in the second set with Roger
Williams leading 10-9 when the Bears scored nine of the next ten
points to take a 18-11 lead before winning 25-17 to even the match
at a set apiece. Sophomore Catherine Walker served five straight
points in the 9-1 spurt to ignite the Bears.
In the third set much like the second set, Coast Guard took an
18-11 lead by scoring seven of eight points. The Bears jumped out
to a quick 6-1 lead before the Hawks pulled to within 11-10. The
Bears would score the final two points of the set for a 25-16
win.
Coast Guard closed out the match in the fourth set. With the score
tied 7-7, the Bears scored eight of the next ten points for a 15-9
edge and maintained that six point advantage at 19-13 before Roger
Williams ran off five straight to cut the deficit to 19-18. Junior
Nicole Johnson’s kill ended the Hawks run and the Bears
scored six of the final seven points including three kills by
Walker to clinch the victory.
Johnson had 11 kills while Walker added 10 kills for Coast Guard.
Sophomore Karen Matic led the way with 38 assists and 13 digs while
senior Jessica Anderson led the team with 15 digs. Sophomore
Keriann Mason also added 11 digs while freshman Kelsey DePorto had
a match-high six blocks in the win for the Bears.
Roger Williams finishes the season 29-6. Coast Guard beat Roger
Williams 3-0 during the regular season.
