WAYNE, N.J. – The Centenary University women's volleyball team wrapped up play at the William Paterson Tournament on Saturday, taking on No. 19 Christopher Newport University and William Smith College at the Sports and Recreation Center.
The Cyclones dropped both contests in straight sets, falling to Christopher Newport, 3-0, before closing the afternoon with a 3-0 loss to William Smith. Centenary moves to 1-3 on the season.
Christopher Newport 3, Centenary 0
Centenary opened the day against nationally-ranked Christopher Newport, falling by set scores of 25-19, 25-11 and 25-21. The Cyclones battled the Captains throughout the opening set. Centenary recorded nine kills in the frame, but Christopher Newport used a .414 hitting percentage to pull away for the 25-19 victory.
Christopher Newport carried its momentum into the second set, hitting .455 with 13 kills to take the frame, 25-11.
Centenary responded with its strongest offensive performance of the match in the third. The Cyclones recorded nine kills with just three errors on 25 attempts for a .240 hitting percentage. Centenary kept the set close before the Captains eventually secured the 25-21 victory and completed the sweep.
Poppy Skjonnemand led the Cyclones offensively with 10 kills on 23 attempts for a .261 hitting percentage. She also added nine digs, one service ace and a block assist. Gabriella Miller turned in an efficient performance with nine kills and just three errors on 17 attempts, finishing with a team-best .353 hitting percentage. Miller also recorded an ace and a block assist. Adrienne Xiao directed the offense with 13 assists, while Brooke Dykhouse added three. Rey Bennett finished with seven digs.
Centenary recorded 23 kills, 20 assists, 27 digs and three service aces in the match. Christopher Newport finished with 41 kills and hit .402 as a team.
William Smith 3, Centenary 0
The Cyclones returned to the court later Saturday afternoon to face William Smith, falling by scores of 25-13, 25-18 and 25-11.
After William Smith took the opening set, Centenary battled through a more competitive second frame. The Cyclones remained within striking distance before the Herons pulled away late to earn the 25-18 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match. William Smith closed out the contest with a 25-11 victory in the third set.
Skjonnemand once again paced the Centenary attack, finishing with seven kills and nine digs. Miller and Helen Bilomasur each added three kills. Xiao finished with 10 assists while also recording two service aces and five digs. Dykhouse contributed four assists. Bennett anchored the Cyclones defensively with a match-high 18 digs, marking her best defensive performance of the tournament.
Centenary finished the William Smith match with 15 kills, 15 assists, 46 digs and three service aces. The Cyclones recorded two total blocks, with Skjonnemand registering a solo block and Miller and Jennifer Thistlethwaite combining for block assists.
The Cyclones finish the William Paterson Tournament with a 1-3 overall record.
