NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Junior right side Gracie Reisman matched a career-high with 18 kills as the Holy Cross volleyball team swept through Merrimack 3-0 in a thrilling nonconference match on Hammel Court.

The win moves the Crusaders to 2-6 on the season while the Warriors slide to 1-8.

Reisman hit .444 in the contest and added a career-high seven digs with an assist. Three Crusaders had double-double showings. Freshman outside hitter Gabby Wold posted 13 kills and a personal-best 15 digs for her third double-double of the season. Junior setter Katie Russell chipped in a game-high 22 assists and 11 digs for her third career double-double. Sophomore libero Emma Halstead manufactured a personal-high 10 assists and 15 digs for her first ever double-double.

SET SCORES:
Crusaders 3, Warriors 0 (27-25, 25-19, 32-30)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Halstead tallied a libero kill, her first of the campaign for the early 1-0 Crusader lead. A bad set and attack error grew the lead for Holy Cross to 3-0. Their edge extended to 14-9 and resulted in a Merrimack timeout. The Warriors took their first lead at 21-20 and Holy Cross stopped play. Reisman connected on a mash from the left pin and freshman setter Lily Torrence dropped home an ace for the 22-21 lead. The set needed extra serves and the Crusaders won 27-25.
• The second set saw the guests build a 13-9 advantage. Merrimack rallied for five in a row to move ahead 14-13. A long rally kill by Reisman upped the Crusader lead to 19-16. Merrimack came within two points, but the Crusaders produced the final four points for the 2-0 match lead.
• Holy Cross jumped ahead 7-1 early in the third set. A freshman middle blocker Winn Godier blocked increased the margin to eight, 12-4. A senior right side Lauren Halverson and sophomore middle blocker Maeve Bailey block kept the guests ahead 18-10. Merrimack closed the gap on a 14-2 run to come within set point at 24-22. Holy Cross tied the set at 24-24. The teams swapped points reaching the 30 point mark as the Crusaders earned two points including a Wold kill to complete the sweep.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Bailey hit .400 with a career-high nine kills.
• Torrence recorded the first kill of her career in the match.
• Godier made her collegiate debut and earned the start notching two kills, two blocks, a dig and an assist.
• This marks the third straight season in which the Crusaders reached 30 points during a set.

POSTGAME THOUGHTS:

Hear from @ReismanGracie following the victory!#GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/qCbZAQwBBW

— Holy Cross Volleyball (@HCrossVB) September 14, 2024

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders end nonconference play on Saturday, Sept. 14 against Central Connecticut State with first serve set for 4 p.m.

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