WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross volleyball team lost by a 3-0 score to Patriot League opponent Navy Saturday afternoon in the Hart Center Arena.

The loss sends the Crusaders to 3-10 and 0-4 in league play while the Midshipmen move to 10-2, 2-1 in conference action.

SET SCORES:

• Midshipmen 3, Crusaders 0 (22-25, 16-25, 16-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders opened up an early 10-2 lead thanks to a junior Sarah Stokes ace which resulted in Navy using their second timeout of the first set. A Navy service error doubled up the margin at 16-8 in favor of Holy Cross. Navy notched the next seven points to come within one at 16-15. A sophomore Rachel Johnson and Gracie Resiman block at the left pin pushed the Crusaders ahead 22-20. Navy took their first lead 23-22 and took the first set 25-22.
• In the second set, Stokes skipped the set and punched home a kill to pull the Crusaders within two, 9-7. Navy tallied two more points as the Crusaders called a timeout trailing 11-7. Senior Sanaea Simmons recorded a solo block in the middle to drop the deficit to two, 13-11 and force the Midshipmen into a timeout. Two straight kills by Navy increased their lead to 19-13. Navy captured the second set 25-16.
• Behind 6-2, the Crusaders dropped the margin to one thanks to three in a row at 6-5. Navy manufactured four straight to go ahead 10-5. A Holy Cross service error made it a nine point Navy lead 15-6. A 9-3 Crusader outburst dropped the deficit to three at 18-15 thanks to a junior Abbie Lane kill on the left side. Navy stopped the Crusaders' momentum with a timeout and closed the match on a 7-1 outburst.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Freshman libero Haley Gill tallied double-digit digs for the ninth time this season.
• Gill has two or more aces in four straight matches.
• Simmons produced a contest-high four blocks.
• This was only the third time this season Johnson failed to reach double-digit kills.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders wrap up their three game home swing on Friday, Sept. 29 versus Army West Point.
• First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Coach George Blaney '61 Gymnasium.

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