1,000 Digs for Stewart in 3-1 Victory against Quinnipiac
By: Kylie Jones, Deputy Sports Editor
After a straight-set victory earlier in the day against Stonehill College, the Tigers’ sights were now set on the Bobcats from Quinnipiac.
The Bobcats entered the match full of energy, putting pressure on the Tigers with long rallies that had each team taking points for themselves. The Tigers were able to retort, however, with Sarah Callender contributing back-to-back kills and Erin Brothers adding one of her own to stretch the lead to six.
After a timeout from Quinnipiac, Callender went on to deliver another kill and a service ace. The Bobcats were able to answer, taking four straight points for themselves, the score now 17-14.
Just as she had done in the earlier match, Taylor Pagan came out firing, delivering two kills of her own followed by a service ace from Maisie Jesse. Another Callender kill and a service ace from Malinah Purcell-Telefoni brought the Tigers to set point, and Erin Brothers was able to reel in the final kill to put the Bobcats away in set one, 25-18.
Quinnipiac took the first two of the second set, but the Tigers responded with five straight of their own, featuring another Pagan kill and a service ace from Sydney Stewart.
“We’ve had a whole week of preparation for both teams,” said Stewart. “Our coaches are super great at giving us all the information we need and we’ve been practicing really hard in our gym.”
Jesse then delivered her second service ace of the match, adding to another Towson run, this time for four consecutive points. Despite a number of errors from Quinnipiac which caused visible frustration from the players, the Bobcats managed to bring themselves within two points of Towson, 13-11.
Towson clawed to 23-17, and a kill from Brothers resulted in set point. The Bobcats grappled to 21 points, attributed to Tiger errors, but a Callender kill assisted by Peyton Meyer sealed the second set, 25-21.
A Pagan block opened up the third set, but a dip in Tiger energy would ensue. Tiger errors allowed Quinnipiac to go on a number of runs, leaving the Tigers trying to catch up.
After a short-lived back-and-forth, the Bobcats managed to go on an 8-0 run that resulted in set point and left the Tigers trailing by 11. Jesse would add a kill, but a service error from Towson handed the third set to the Bobcats.
“We definitely needed to cut down our unforced errors. It also was our energy– it got a little bit flat and we let that take us over,” said Stewart.
Energy was going to be crucial for the Tigers in the fourth set, and they delivered just that.
Pagan and Callender kicked things off with back-to-back kills, followed by Tshilanda Diouf adding one of her own. The Tigers went on run after run featuring kills from Brothers, Purcell-Telefoni, Callender, Pagan, Diouf, and another service ace for Jesse.
Stewart went on to earn 1,000 career digs, and 18 total for the match, that gave Towson the final push to send the Bobcats home.
“My main jobs are serve, receive and defense, but I really try to focus on my communication as well,” said Stewart. “I really try to lead not only by my physical actions but also by being super communicative on the court.”
A service ace from Natalia Pebenito, and three final kills from Purcell-Telefoni, Brothers, and Callender finished it off with a final score of 25-15.
“We came out with a completely new revitalized energy and we were ready to win,” said Stewart.
Leaders for Towson in the 3-1 victory include Pagan with 14 kills, Meyer with 18 assists, Purcell-Telefoni with nine blocks, and Stewart with 18 digs.