Pirates Sweep DePaul to Snap Six-Game Losing Streak

Date: September 24, 2017

By: Bob Towey

Seton Hall's volleyball team (7-8) defeated the DePaul Blue Demons (7-8), 3-0, on Saturday, September 23 at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago, Ill.

From the first serve of the opening set, Seton Hall held the lead and gave the Blue Demons few opportunities to recover. At one point, the Pirates held a 12-4 lead over DePaul, but the Blue Demons slowly began to gain momentum, coming within a point of tying the Hall towards the end of the set. With the score 24-23, Dominique Mason tallied the set-winning kill to give the Pirates an early advantage. Mason's seven kills in the first set alone helped maintain the Pirates' edge over DePaul.

The second set saw DePaul get off to a strong start, and by halfway through the set the Blue Demons held a 12-9 lead over the Pirates. Seton Hall's offense then got to work and kept DePaul close, and again, the set came down to the final two points. Seton Hall found itself ahead, 24-23, and Mason came in clutch once more, recording a critical kill to secure the set for the Pirates.

With a two set lead, the Pirates came into the third reenergized and jumped out to a 12-7 lead over the Blue Demons on three consecutive attack errors. After conceding those points, DePaul could not rebound, and the Pirates retained at least a four-point lead over the Blue Demons for the remainder of the set. Eventually, a kill from Sharay Barnes sealed the set, 25-20, and the match for the Pirates, and broke Hall volleyball's six game losing streak. The win also improved Hall volleyball's Big East record to 1-1.

Mason led the Pirates with 17 kills, while Caitlin Koska posted 12 kills to help sustain the Hall's offense. Sarah Kenneweg paced the team with 17 digs in the match.

Having completed their road trip to Chicago, the Pirates return home to take on the Creighton Blue Jays (8-4) as they continue Big East play. Catch the action on wsou.net.

Bob Towey can be reached at robert.towey@student.shu.edu.

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