Credit: GR Productions
Pirates Fall Short on Senior Night, 3-0
Published: Sunday, November 24, 2024
by Darren Worrell
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - On a beautiful evening from the campus of Seton Hall University, the Seton Hall volleyball team (12-17) faced off for the last time this season against the Butler Bulldogs (7-23). The match was a tenacious battle, with both teams giving their all. However, it was the Bulldogs who emerged victorious, defeating the Pirates in straight sets, 3-0.
The atmosphere inside historic Walsh Gymnasium was filled with lots of gratitude, but also heavy hearts as well. Nine seniors, who have had amazing careers at Seton Hall, said goodbye to the program they have called home for the last few years. Despite the loss, the evening served as a heartfelt celebration of the senior's incredible contributions to Seton Hall athletics.
In the opening set, both teams battled point for point in a thrilling, back-and-forth set. Seton Hall’s Perri Lucas delivered several timely kills, while Reagan Merk added critical offensive plays to keep the Pirates competitive. Maddie Klungel and Laila Wallace contributed key blocks at the net, helping the Pirates stay within striking distance.
The set took a dramatic turn late, with a controversial call on a block attempt going against Seton Hall, frustrating the team, and shifting momentum slightly toward Butler. Seton Hall’s Mason Woo’s service ace tied the game at 22-22, and a clutch kill from Merk brought it to 25-25. However, a late attack error by Merk and a strong finish from Butler allowed the Bulldogs to edge out the set, 27-25.
Seton Hall started slow in the second set, with Butler taking an early lead and capitalizing on several Pirates’ errors. Butler’s Alaleh Tolliver and Grace Boggess each landed key kills, and the Bulldogs’ defense kept the Pirates on their back foot. The Hall struggled to find rhythm but slowly started to regroup; Laila Wallace gave the Pirates their first point of the set, and Hanna Tulli and Jenna Walsh also contributing crucial kills to keep Seton Hall alive.
Wallace also stepped up at the net with key defensive plays. The set was filled with back-and-forth action, and Seton Hall fought back to tie the score at 19-19. After a service error by Walsh and a kill from Butler’s Elise Ward, the Bulldogs regained the lead. However, attack errors from Butler gave Seton Hall the opportunity to regain control, pushing the score to 22-21 in their favor. Despite their efforts, Butler finished strong with two back-to-back kills from Ward and then Tolliver, securing the 25-22 win to take the set.
In the third set, Seton Hall and Butler traded points early, with Perri Lucas getting the first kill for Seton Hall, followed by a response from Ward. The teams continued to exchange kills and errors, with the score tied multiple times. Butler's Evans and Taylor contributed key plays, while Seton Hall had strong performances from Lucas, Wallace, and the sophomore Roberts-Navarro, who saw her fair share of playing time in this last set as well.
The set remained close, with both teams battling through errors and timely kills. Butler gained a slight lead at 21-19 and pushed it further to 23-19. Seton Hall made a final push, closing the gap to 23-22 with a kill and service ace, but Butler secured the set 25-22, with an attack error by Perri Lucas of Seton Hall sealing the victory.
Though the Pirates fell short, there were many individual achievements to celebrate this season. Perri Lucas recorded her 1000th career kill, finishing her career ninth in all-time kills in school history. Maddie Klungel posted her 12th double-double of the season and 18th of her career, finishing her career ranking 10th in all-time in assists at Seton Hall. Other honored seniors included Hanna Tulli, Faith LaMacchia, Anna Holland, Berra Tok, Reagan Merk, Laila Wallace, and Jenna Walsh.
While these seniors will be missed, the Pirates look forward to next season with promising players like sophomores Senna Roberts-Navarro and Maddy Loiselle, who had standout seasons. Mason Woo, Rylee Nelson and Asli Subasilli will also return, contributing to a bright future for the Pirates.
Darren Worrell can be reached at darren.worrell@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,