BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Junior outside hitter Mary Zacher became the 13th player in school history to reach 1,000 career digs as she helped the Moravian College women's volleyball team to a 3-1 non-conference victory over FDU-Florham Saturday in Johnston Hall.
The first set went back-and-forth with the Devils leading 16-14 before Moravian scored seven of the next eight points to take a 21-15 lead en route to a 25-21 opening set win. FDU led early in the second set and was up 8-6 when the Greyhounds scored six straight points to take control. The Blue and Grey won the set 25-20 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
FDU-Florham would lead the entire third set, posting a 25-18 win to force the fourth set. Moravian had an early 5-2 lead in the fourth game but the Devils tied the set at 8-8. The Greyhounds moved back in front, 19-15, but FDU responded and scored seven of eight points to take a 22-20 lead. Moravian scored five straight points with freshman defensive specialist Alexis Szaro serving to win the set 25-22 and capture the match victory.
"We knew this was going to be a tough match based on the battle we had with them last year," commented Head Coach Shelley Bauder. "I was proud of my team for the way they came out with strong defensive energy and strategic shots on offense. The fact that we had four players with double digit kills and two with double-doubles shows how versatile we are becoming. This win will help us build momentum going into our conference matches on Friday."
Zacher had 18 digs in the match to raise her career total to 1,014, and she added 12 kills. Senior middle blocker Taylor Kornmann led the Greyhounds with 19 kills to move into sixth in school history with 1,227 kills while freshman outside hitter Brooke Kusmider had a double-double with 16 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Erin Tiger added 14 kills and two blocks.
Freshman setter Victoria Kauffman controlled the Greyhounds offense with 53 assists, and she added 19 digs and a pair of service aces while junior libero Jean Markovic had a team-high 29 digs to go along with five assists. Szaro contributed seven digs while sophomore defensive specialist Bridgette Devlin had four digs. Senior right side hitter Jaclyn Smith added four digs and a pair of kills for the Blue and Grey.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Friday, October 14 when the Greyhounds close out their Landmark Conference regular season with two matches at Elizabethtown College with the University of Scranton beginning at 6:00 p.m.
