WEST POINT, N.Y. (September 23, 2015) -- U.S. Military Academy at West Point Cadet Nicole Perri, a Firstie, led the Army West Point women's volleyball team to win its league opener 3-0 over Holy Cross Sept. 22, at Gillis Field House with set scores of 25-21, 25-22 and 25-16.
The Black Knights improved to 9-5 on the season and begin conference play with a 1-0 mark.
"I'm proud of the team for starting the Patriot League on a high note. The first two games we had control, but we were a little tight. The way we started the third game and earning those first 10 points is what Army volleyball is all about. Pin hitters especially Nicole and Amber gave us points when we needed them, and Carolyn continues to be consistent from the middle. Holy Cross attacked our setter, but our out of system play was very good. I'm proud of the team for recognizing it and making the adjustments quickly."
Perri was the main producer for the Black Knights with 16 kills and only four errors. Carolyn Bockrath hit at .765 percent in the match with 13 kills. Vanessa Edwards recorded her fifth-consecutive double-double with 36 assists and 20 digs. Amber Clay also had a hand in the game with nine kills and 13 digs, while Shannel Chong recorded 15 digs and nine assists.
In set one, the Black Knights took an 11-5 lead before Holy Cross (3-10, 0-1 PL) rallied back to tie the match at 13-all. After much back and forth action, the score was set at 18-17 in favor of the Crusaders. Vanessa Wesley earned a kill and then a block for the tying and go-ahead point at 18-17 which sparked a 7-0 run for the Black Knights.
Holy Cross was cited for a ball handling error to push the Cadets to 19-17. Wesley recorded another kill and then Edwards served an ace. Perri tallied a kill before another ace by Edwards. An Edwards' assist to Perri ended the seven straight points for Army. The Black Knights won the set, 25-21, on a service error by the Crusaders.
Army led for the entirety of set two, but the Crusaders were able to bring the set within one at multiple occasions and eventually tied the set at 18-all. With service by Clay, the Black Knights earned three straight points. Bockrath notched a kill forcing the Cadets on the serve. Army earned back-to-back points on Crusader attack errors before Perri recorded another kill to push the Black Knights ahead 22-18. With the score 23-22, the Black Knights took a timeout before Edwards assisted to Perri and Wesley to close the set at 25-22.
The Black Knights pulled away in the third set to a 19-8 lead and never lost momentum. Perri finalized the score, 25-16, for the Cadets off an assist from Chong.
The Black Knights are back in action Sept. 25 when they travel to Colgate for another conference game at 6 p.m.
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