Credit: Seton Hall Volleyball
Pirates Open Seton Hall Classic with First Win of the 2024 Season, 3-1
Published: Saturday, September 7, 2024
by Jack Pine
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates notched their first win of the season
with a thrilling four-set win over the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Friday afternoon (25-23,
25-15, 23-25, 25-19). The high-energy home opener was a showcase of resilience and
skill, with several individual milestones and team achievements that made the victory
particularly memorable.
The match began with Sacred Heart taking the early advantage, establishing a 17-13
lead through effective offensive play and solid defense. Seton Hall, struggling to
find their rhythm, called a crucial timeout. The break proved pivotal, as the Pirates
regrouped and returned to the court with renewed energy. Seton Hall embarked on a
7-3 run to tie the game at 20 apiece. Despite trailing 23-21, the Pirates demonstrated
composure and tenacity, winning the final four points to secure a 25-23 victory. Reagan
Merk played a crucial role in this comeback, contributing 4 kills on 11 attempts with
a hitting percentage of .280, which was instrumental in their first-set triumph.
With momentum from their first-set win, Seton Hall carried their strong performance
into the second set. Initially, the Pirates faced a challenge as Sacred Heart edged
ahead with a 13-12 lead. However, Seton Hall turned the tide with a decisive 13-2
run, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive stability. The Pirates’ ability
to dominate the latter part of the set was reflected in the 25-15 scoreline. Madison
Klungel played a key role, surpassing the 1,500-career assists mark with 21 assists
in the match, while Senna Roberts-Navarro reached a significant milestone with 11
kills, surpassing 100 career kills.
Sacred Heart responded strongly in the third set, displaying their resilience and
competitive spirit. Seton Hall initially led 17-10, but the Pioneers mounted a riveting
comeback. Sacred Heart narrowed the gap to 20-14, and their persistence paid off,
as they took control of the set with a five-point surge that eventually led them to
win 25-23. Camryn Luginbuhl led Sacred Heart with 12 kills despite a hitting percentage
of .083, and Gaby Zovko contributed significantly with 6 kills and 25 assists. Sacred
Heart’s ability to claw back and claim the set highlighted their determination and
tactical adjustments despite the Hall’s pressure.
The fourth set proved to be a battle of endurance and strategy. Seton Hall, determined
to close out the match, navigated through numerous lead changes and ties. The Pirates
clung to a narrow 15-14 lead and then capitalized on Sacred Heart’s errors, scoring
10 of the final 15 points to secure a 25-19 win. Merk continued her strong performance,
adding five kills in this set, while Grace Turner contributed four kills, showcasing
Seton Hall’s depth and balanced attack.
Not only did the Pirates improve to 1-3 for the season, but they also won their first
sets of the season and extended their perfect record against Sacred Heart to 7-0 all-time.
Head Coach Shannon Thompson celebrated her 50th career coaching victory, adding a
personal milestone to the team’s success. The victory also contributed to Seton Hall’s
impressive streak in the Seton Hall Classic volleyball tournament, as they have now
won eight consecutive matches in the event.
The Pirates will be back in action on Saturday as the Seton Hall Classic resumes.
Seton Hall will take on NJIT, as they look to expand upon their newfound success.
Nick DiBlasi and Kyle Ferreira will be on the call, and coverage of the match will
begin at 3 PM on WSOU.net.
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