The Saint Anselm College volleyball squad continued their program best start after their most previous result, a win versus Merrimack College. They are 19-4 overall with a 9-1 mark in the NE-10 conference.

The Hawks won their fifth consecutive match on Nov. 1. Prior to beating Merrimack, the Hawks defeated Southern Connecticut University on Oct. 22. Saint A’s dominated the Owls in a three-set sweep.

Junior Katy Teets had nine kills and senior captain Brennah Gladwill chimed in with seven kills of her own.  Sophomore Jewel Hays logged 30 assists and senior CC Chrisom had a match-high 14 digs, adding to her milestone record of more than 1000 digs which she achieved the prior day against New Haven.

Sophomore Sarah Lowery had high praise for her teammate’s career achievement, “She is definitely a main component of our back row, and she deserves it.  She is a great player, a leader on the team.  I was happy for her, our team was really happy for her. It was even better because it was such a big win.”

The Hawks got out to an early lead by taking the first four points of the match. SCSU stormed back evening up the opening set at 15-15, but Saint A’s responded with a 10-5 run to end the match grabbing the set 25-20.

In the second set, Saint A’s took a 17-9 advantage and never looked back going on to win 25-19. Katy Teets ended the set for the Hawks with a kill giving the team a 2-0 set lead.

Saint A’s went on to sweep the Owls in the match with a repeat of set two 25-19; SCSU was able to get within a point at 13-12 in the third set. But, that would be as close as they would get. This put the Hawks win streak at four games and three in a row in NE-10 play. The squad sits atop the conference in first place.

One constant throughout this program best start for the volleyball team has been the home crowds. The fans have played a major role in how Saint A’s has performed at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

Lowery told the Crier, “There is a big difference from last year. It helps us because we have the momentum of the home crowd. The home crowd is significantly different, it makes a difference in our play.”

The squad beat Merrimack College 3-1 in an NE-10 conference duel on the road Tues, Nov. 1.