CANTON, Ohio — The Edinboro women's volleyball team swept both Malone and Roosevelt in decisive 3-0 victories at Osborne Hall on day one of the Hall of Fame City Challenge.
In the match against Malone, Edinboro claimed the first set 25-19 by capitalizing on the Pioneers' errors and strong performances from key players. The Scots'
Makayla Neelands notched four kills, to lead the offense in the opening frame. .
Edinboro dominated the second set, securing a 25-13 win. The Scots' defense was pivotal, with
Christina Lockett and
Reilly Parent contributing key blocks. Neelands and
D'Aira Whitner were effective offensively, each registering multiple kills.
Maggie Koster closed the set with a kill sealing the second.
The Scots secured the third set with a 25-20 victory, taking advantage of Malone's errors and timely offensive plays. Parent played a pivotal role, contributing multiple kills and a service ace, while Whitner's consistent attack led to crucial points. Despite Malone's late rally to tie the score at 19-19, Edinboro responded with a 6-1 run to claim the victory.
Neelands led the defensive effort against Malone with 16 digs while also contributing eight kills and a service ace. Parent added eight kills with a .304 hitting percentage and recorded nine digs.
Faith Schneider collected 12 digs and contributed three assists in the match.
Grace Petro facilitated the offense with 18 assists and recorded five digs.
In the match against Roosevelt, Edinboro dominated the first set, opening with a 6-0 run that included a service ace from Petro, capitalizing on multiple attack errors by Roosevelt. Neelands contributed three kills during the set, while the visitors struggled with six attack errors. Edinboro's defense registered key blocks that helped secure a 25-15 advantage at the end of the set.
The Scots closed the second set with a decisive 25-21 victory, leveraging solid defense and timely kills. Edinboro capitalized on Roosevelt's errors, including a pivotal block by Parent and
Christina Lockett. The Scots' offense was bolstered by Whitner and
Taylor Pucky, who contributed key kills.
Edinboro closed out the match with a decisive 25-13 victory, largely propelled by Neelands, and her six kills in the third.
Laney Burns supported the surge with a serving run that included a service ace and set up multiple scoring plays. Roosevelt struggled to contain the Scots' offensive momentum, committing several attack errors that allowed Edinboro to extend its lead.
Neelands tallied 16 kills, leading the team's scoring with a .438 hitting percentage. Schneider recorded 15 digs. Petro posted 19 assists, while
Laney Burns added 13 helpers. Parent added depth to the defense with 14 digs and also contributed seven kills.
The Fighting Scots continue action at the Hall of Fame City Challenge on Saturday when they take on Roberts Wesleyan at 9 a.m. before closing out the weekend against Charleston at 3:45 p.m.
