The women’s volleyball team had lost only one conference game all season. It was a five-set thriller that Neumann University won by the slimmest of margins.
In the CSAC Final on Sunday, Nov. 4, the Knights were able to repeat the feat despite a hard charge from the Lady Cavs. For the first time in four years, the women’s volleyball title changed hands as the Knights snapped a three-year title streak for the Lady Cavs with a 3-2 win.
Cabrini found themselves in great position in the first set. The set was neck-and-neck before Cabrini opened up a three-point lead at set point, 24-21. The Knights recorded three straight kills to tie the score before taking the first set, 28-26.
The Lady Cavs would rebound in the second set. They jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never trailed in a set they won, 25-21.
In the third set, Cabrini held even with Neumann for the first 20 points in a 10-10 set. But the Knights managed five straight points to take a 15-10 lead. The Lady Cavs managed to cut the lead to one twice but it wasn’t enough as the Knights finished the set with a 25-21 win.
The Lady Cavs forced a fifth set with a dominant fourth set. They rolled to an 18-5 lead before finished off the set with a 25-10 win.
Cabrini took the early advantage in the decisive final set. After losing three of the first four point, the Lady Cavs opened up a 7-5 lead. Neumann rallied to tie before Cabrini went ahead 8-7 as the teams changed sides on the court.
Neumann played like a different team from that point on. Cabrini’s lead vanished with four straight Neumann points. The Knights were able to prevent the Lady Cavs from coming close to a comeback, finishing off the final set with a 15-10 win.
This was still a dominating game for several Cavaliers. Senior Danielle Carrozza led the team with 21 kills and also added 16 digs and four blocks.
Senior Meg Ryan posted solid numbers as well, registering nine kills, four digs, two assists and one block.
Freshmen Jen Grenauer and Cassidy Koenig also had strong games. Grenauer posted 12 kills, five digs and one block while Koenig added five kills, six digs, 42 assists and one block.
For the Lady Cavs, this season comes to a disappointing end. After winning three straight titles, it’s hard to picture the CSAC playoffs ending any differently for the volleyball team. Still, the season is another success with a 19-10 overall record and a 10-2 conference record. The team’s only conference losses were against Neumann. Both went five sets.
The Lady Cavs fought to the very end and made Neumann earn the title. You can be sure this team will be back out to capture the title and start a new streak again next season.
