Women’s Volleyball defeats Hilbert in final regular season match

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University women's volleyball defeated Hilbert (N.Y.) College, 3-1, in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference action Saturday afternoon.

The Celtics improved to 11-14 overall and 3-6 in the AMCC, while the Hawks fell to 7-17 and 0-9 in the conference.

Alison Humberston recorded a game-high 14 kills, and Javonna Perkins tallied five blocks in the win.

Meghan Alexander and Rebecca Hess combined for 25 digs on the day.

Hilbert started with a 5-1 lead in the first set before Carlow rallied to tie the score.

Tied, 7-all, the Celtics went on a 10-3 run to gain a 17-10 advantage. The Hawks strung together a run of their own to cut Carlow's lead to three late in the set, but the Celtics held on for the 25-21 win.

Hilbert regrouped and hit .273 to win the second set, 25-18. This time it was Carlow that started with the lead, but after a 9-9 tie, the Hawks created some distance with a Carlow service error and three kills in a row. It was a lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the set.

Carlow started off the third much the same way, ahead 7-1 to start the set.

A 5-0 Hilbert run cut Carlow's advantage to one point, but the Celtics held on and went on a 5-0 run of their own later in the set to lead, 19-12.

Hilbert attempted a comeback late in the set, but Head Coach Julie Gaul broke up the team's momentum with a timeout. Trailing 24-22, Hilbert hit a service ace to gain a point, but a service error ended the set, 25-22, in favor of the Celtics.

Carlow hit .226 in the fourth and final set, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage to start, and extending its lead to 21-12 en route to a 25-15 win.

Maria Spinelli led the Hawks with seven kills and three blocks.

The Celtics open USCAA Championship pool play at 11:30 a.m. versus Bay Path (Mass.) University Nov. 9.

For more information about the USCAA Championship, visit https://uscaafallchampionships.com/landing/index