North Branch, NJ - The RVCC Volleyball team defeated Harcum College on Thursday night by a final score of 3-1. RVCC dropped a close first set 24-26 and would go on to win three straight sets 25-22, 25-10, and 25-20 to put the Bears away. Raritan Valley beat the Bears earlier this year at the Nassau Community College Invitational, 3-1.
The first set saw a lot of back and forth action and was packed with tremendous energy. The stands came alive as fans got to see two great hustling defenses in action. Set number one was filled with long rallies and hard fought points. The vocal support of the RVCC faithful and the RVCC Men's Soccer team, who had just won against Dutchess Community College, really helped the team's energy. The Lions had a 24-23 lead late in the set, but eventually fell 26-24.
The second set saw more of the same high level energy, but the Lions were able to establish their Middle Hitter, Bryahna Shaw, early and often. Shaw led the team on the night with 13 kills and looked like an unstoppable force during the second and third sets. It was in that third set where Shaw recorded all four of her service aces to help the Lions trounce the Bears 25-10.
Twelve points into the fourth set and RVCC found themselves down 9-3. With the Lions trailing 16-11 Freshman, Molly Vander Horn stepped up to the service line and put on a show. Vander Horn took the Lions from a 5 point deficit to an 8 point lead and match point with 13 straight serves. During that span she totaled 2 service aces and the Lions regained all the momentum they needed to close out the Bears for good. Vander Horn has been a jack of all trades for the Lions and continues to be the staple of the defense in her Libero position. She totaled 10 digs on the night to lead the team. While it was Shaw who stole the show at the net with her powerful swings, it was once again Freshman, Hannah Chiswick, who remained the Lions' steadfast hitter. Chiswick has now totaled double digit kills in every game this year but one, as she tallied 12 last night to go along with her 2 service aces and 7 digs. Every member of the team that served last night had at least one ace to help the Lions rack up 18 on the night. Sophomore Anais Duarte, who was ranked in the top ten in aces per set last season, led the Lions with 5 services aces.
RVCC will travel down to Atlantic Cape Community College this Saturday for a 12 PM start time as they return to Region XIX and GSAC play. The Lions currently sit at 8-3 on the year.
