NEW YORK, NY -- It what's turning into an annual tradition for Fordham University Volleyball, the Rams dominated at the tape all day at the Columbia Invitational, tallying double-digit blocks in a pair of victories over Northeastern, 3-1, and New Haven in straight sets.
After last season at the Columbia Invitational, the Maroon and White posted 11.0 blocks against Quinnipiac, and today tallied 12.0 total blocks against Northeastern and 10.0 against New Haven. The Rams have now posted double-digit blocks in three of the first five games of the season
Erynn Sweeney and Zoe Talabong each registered double-doubles to help propel the Rams to a four-set (25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24) over Northeastern Friday morning, before racking up 10 blocks on the way to a three-set sweep (25-11, 25-20, 25-19) over the New Haven Chargers.
Fordham was led against Northeastern by another set of double-doubles from Sweeney, who had 12 kills and 11 digs, and Talabong, who had 18 kills and 10 digs. Audrey Brown added 13 kills to help the offense, while on the defensive end, Whitney Woodrow chipped in for with 18 digs to go with eight blocks from Brown.Â
Against New Haven, the Maroon and White were led by a double-double from Sweeney once again, who registered 11 kills and 10 digs in the nightcap. Audrey Brown also added nine kills to help the offense, while on the defensive end, Ozge Ozaslan chipped in for 10 digs to go along with seven blocks from Tatum Holderied.
Over the two games combined, Talabong led a trio of Rams with 20 kills on the day, drilling 25, ahead of 23 from Sweeney, and 22 from Brown. Woodrow dished out 58 assists across the seven sets played, and would also lead the recieving efforts with 28 digs. With 14 blocking assists, Holderied, coming off winning A-10 Defensive Player of the Week, led the way at the tape, ahead of 10 from Brown, eight from Sophia Kuyn, and six from Sweeney.
Game Notes vs Northeastern
» Erynn Sweeney and Zoe Talabong both registered double-doubles in the win.
» Fordham had three players in double figures in kills.
» Fordham had four players in double figures in digs.
» Whitney Woodrow had a match-high three aces in the win.
» Audrey Brown had a match-high eight blocks.
» Zoe Talabong had a match-high 18 kills for Fordham.
» Fordham got a team-high 18 digs from Whitney Woodrow.
» Fordham attackers were helped by a match-high 36 assists from Whitney Woodrow.
How It Happened vs Northeastern
SET 1 | The Rams took control of the set-one lead at 4-3 and held it the rest of the way to win 25-19, opening its biggest lead at six points to close out the set. Fordham also got a solid defensive performance from a front row that tallied four blocks in the stanza.
SET 2 | Fordham took set two 26-24 to grab a 2-0 lead, persevering in a back-and-forth set throughout to win in a period that featured four lead changes and was tied eight times. Neither team led by more than four points along the way. Fordham's front row had a solid defensive performance once again, blocking six Northeastern attacks in the frame.
SET 3 | Fordham saw its chance at a 3-0 sweep in yet another closely contested stanza, 25-21. Fordham trailed by as many as nine points, before drawing within two at 23-21, before as Northeastern grabbed the advantage for good to force a fourth set.
SET 4 | Fordham then responded to finish off the match with a 26-24 fourth-set victory with a strong showing on the attacking side that led the Rams to victory in the set. Fordham put together a .366 attack percentage with 17 kills in the final set win, opening up a 19-11 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there.
Game Notes vs New Haven
» Fordham had three players in double figures in digs.
» Whitney Woodrow had a match-high four aces in the win.
» Tatum Holderied had a match-high seven blocks.
» Erynn Sweeney registered a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs
» The Fordham front row did a great job defensively, picking up 10 blocks in the match.
» Erynn Sweeney had a match-high 11 kills for Fordham.
» Fordham got a team-high 10 digs from Ozge Ozaslan.
» Fordham attackers were helped by a match-high 22 assists from Whitney Woodrow.
How It Happened vs New Haven
SET 1 | The Rams grabbed control of the set-one lead at 4-3 and held the lead the rest of the way to win 25-11. Fordham led by 14 points at 24-10 before closing out the set, supplementing their offense with three aces in the opening frame.
SET 2 | Fordham built on a set-one win by securing a 25-20 victory in the second set. The Rams never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 10-9 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Rams took over the lead for good.
SET 3 | Fordham then ended the match with a victory in set number three, grabbing the set 25-19. Fordham took the lead for good at 15-14 in a set that has a pair of lead changes before the Rams took over in the second half of the stanza. The Fordham offense also got a boost from four aces in the stanza, while the front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking five New Haven attacks in the period.
This article created in part using technology provided by Data Skrive.
