From University of Chicago Athletics
Senior Night concluded successfully for the University of Chicago volleyball team with a pair of 3-0 victories against Dominican University and North Park University on Friday.
The Maroons improved to 17-8. The Stars fell to 11-18 and the Vikings dropped to 7-21.
UChicago's four seniors – middle hitter Katie LaPorte, outside hitter Amy Risk, setter Erin Risk and libero Mary Claire Tuohy– were each honored at the end of the evening's final contest. Over their four years on the team, the Maroons have reached the NCAA postseason three times and posted a record of 89-45 (.664 winning percentage).
UChicago 3, Dominican 0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19)
The Maroons made their move halfway through the first set, taking advantage of three-straight attack errors to move ahead 18-13. Dominican crept back in to make things interesting at 23-22. But a kill from freshman outside hitter Anabella Pinton and an ace by Tuohy finished the set at 25-22.
Freshman middle hitter Madison Pearson scored a block assist and two-straight kills to help UChicago go up early 6-2 in the second set. The two sides went back and forth up until 18-16. That's when the Maroons reeled off seven-straight points to capture the set 25-16. LaPorte contributed two kills and two block assists in that run.
UChicago got off to a fast start again in the third, moving ahead 7-2. Later up 17-15, the home team put together five-straight points, spearheaded by three aces from Pearson. The Maroons clinched the match from there, 25-19.
UChicago hit for a .262 percentage (42 kills, 10 errors, 122 attempts). The Maroons also served up eight aces. Sophomore outside hitter Audrey Scrafford tallied a team-high 13 kills. Erin Risk put up 37 assists and 14 digs, while Tuohy led the defense with 22 digs.
Dominican hit .163 for the match (40-18-135).
UChicago Stat Leaders
Audrey Scrafford (So.) – 13 kills, 2 blocks
Anabella Pinton (Fr.) – 9 kills, 16 digs
Erin Risk (Sr.) – 37 assists, 14 digs, 2 aces
Mary Claire Tuohy (Sr.) – 22 digs
UChicago 3, North Park 0 (25-15, 25-15, 26-24)
Scrafford provided three kills right away, allowing the Maroons to jump out to a 5-0 lead against North Park. One of the points of the match occurred at 11-6, when sophomore rightside hitter Sarah Muisenga made a diving one-armed defensive save that sailed over the net and down the line for a kill. UChicago steadily increased the lead from there, hitting a stellar .457 in the set to win 25-15.
UChicago's offense continued its efficient attack in the second set by hitting .350 as a unit. Pinton scored four-straight kills to give the Maroons a 6-2 advantage. An 8-1 surge put the home team in the driver's seat at 22-10 and freshman middle hitter Anne Marie Stifter ended things with a kill at 25-15.
The Vikings hung tough all throughout the third set and didn't allow the Maroons any breathing room. The visitors took a 21-20 lead and tied the score at 24-24 shortly after. Kills by Pinton and Scrafford ultimately clinched the match for UChicago at 26-24.
Pinton swung at a .500 clip, scoring 16 kills with no errors. She also added 11 digs. Scrafford led the way again with 17 kills, while Muisenga tallied 14 kills and nine digs. In only three sets, Erin Risk dished out 44 assists to go with 15 digs. Tuohy contributed 16 digs of her own.
UChicago posted a .304 hitting percentage (52-10-138) while NPU hit .148 (34-15-128).
UChicago Stat Leaders
Audrey Scrafford (So.) – 17 kills
Anabella Pinton (Fr.) – 16 kills, 11 digs
Sarah Muisenga (So.) – 14 kills, 9 digs
Erin Risk (Sr.) – 44 assists, 15 digs
Mary Claire Tuohy (Sr.) – 16 digs