ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Holy Cross volleyball team was defeated 3-1 by Patriot League Navy Saturday afternoon at the Brown Field House.

The loss sends the Crusaders to 4-9 0-2 PL in the early going while the win improves the Midshipmen to 5-6, 1-1 PL.

Freshman outside hitter Emma Sorensen continued the strong start to her collegiate career recording a match-best 15 kills hitting .278 with eight digs. Junior outside hitter and sophomore middle blocker Lacey Murphy had a contest-high seven total blocks apiece. The seven blocks were a career-high for Lee.

SET SCORES:
Midshipmen 3, Crusaders 1 (22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 19-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Murphy and Sorensen teamed up for a block to tie the score 1-1 early on. Leading by one, Navy out produced Holy Cross 7-2 to jump ahead 10-4 which resulted in a Crusader timeout. Following the stoppage, Navy added a kill and a block for the 12-4 edge. Navy aced Holy Cross to expand the margin to nine, 17-8. Down 10, Holy Cross pulled within six 20-14 following a Navy service error. Lee and Sorensen blocked an attack attempt dropping their margin to 24-19. The Mids took a timeout and the Crusaders kept at it as Sorensen got a kill and sophomore setter Tuana Ozarpaci placed an ace. Lee and freshman middle blocker Kyla Harris got a block, but Navy won the set 25-22.
• A Murphy kill brought the Crusaders within one, 7-6 in the second set. Another Murphy kill kept her team behind by one, 11-10. Navy had a two point lead, 15-13 at the media timeout. Two Navy miscues leveled the score 15-15. Navy regained a decent edge at 21-16. A sophomore outside hitter Gabby Wold ace trimmed the score to 21-19, however Navy took the set 25-20.
• Sorensen connected on her 10th kill of the match to tie the score 1-1 in the third set. With the set tied 2-2, Navy scored five straight to lead 7-2. Back-to-back freshman setter/right side KK Green kills dropped the margin to one, 11-10. Down four, 15-11, Holy Cross scored five straight to lead 16-15 getting a Murphy kill and block with a Wold kill, Sorensen ace and Navy blocking error. Navy jumped back ahead until Holy Cross notched six straight with sophomore defensive specialist Alana Whitwell securing back-to-back aces for the 22-19 advantage. Navy was down one, 24-23, but they served it into the net as the Crusaders won the set 25-23.
• Navy took a 9-4 lead in the fourth set before the Crusaders took a timeout. A Navy ace increased the advantage to six, 13-7, but Holy Cross put home four straight to trail by three, 13-10. Navy expanded the edge at 19-11. The Crusaders cut into the margin, 20-17 following a Wold kill Navy closed the match out for the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Holy Cross won a set against Navy for the first time since Nov. 9, 2018 (L, 1-3).
• Senior setter Katie Russell had a game-high 22 assists. It was her sixth contest with 20+ assists this season.
• Whitwell recorded her fourth straight contest of double-digit digs and has four matches with four or more aces this year.
• Green had an attacking percentage above .300 (.304) for the third time this year.
• As a team, Holy Cross outhit Navy .276 to .272, but Navy had the advantage in aces 17 to eight.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Iona (4-9) with first serve set for 7 p.m. 

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