ROSEMONT, Pa. – It was never going to be easy. Rosemont had come up empty against the CSAC-rival Cedar Crest Falcons since 1995. Last season, the Ravens took the match against the Falcons to a tie-breaking set but came up short. But tonight the Ravens would not be denied, this time winning the tie-breaking set to come out victorious over the Falcons for the first time in Rosemont volleyball history, 3-2 (23-15, 26-24, 25-18, 23-25, 15-9). With the result the Ravens improved to 1-9 (1-1 CSAC) while Cedar Crest moved to 1-9 (0-1 CSAC).
The match featured 31 tie scores and 20 lead changes, and at no point was the result of any set safely put away until the final point was scored.
The Ravens started out strongly in the first set, opening up to an 8-1 lead. Cedar Crest tightened up the score, but with Rosemont ahead 14-11, the Ravens moved up to an 18-11 lead on three serves from Maria Athanasiadis. With a need for seven points, the Ravens had difficulty shutting down the Falcons, who came back with a 10-3 run to tie the set at 21-21. Rosemont snuck out to a 23-21 lead, but Cedar Crest won the final four points to win the set 25-23.
After a tough first-set loss, the Ravens would dig in for the second set, which featured 14 tie scores and 10 lead changes. With Rosemont trailing 22-24, only one point loss away from dropping the set, the Ravens refused to relent, earning a side-out and winning on Leilani Carter's serve to win the final three points of the set to tie the match, 26-24.
In the third set the scores were level at 10-10 when Rosemont would score three points after a side-out, again on Leilani Carter's serve, to take a 14-10 lead that they would not relinquish. Cedar Crest would get to within a point at 17-16, but the Ravens were able to hold the lead and out-score the Falcons 8-2 the rest of the set to take a 2-1 set lead.
Another strong start by Rosemont put the home side up 3-0, but Cedar Crest would win the next four rallies to take a 4-3 lead. With the score tied 13-13 after a side-out to the Ravens, Sabrina Heggan would serve for three more points to give the Ravens a 17-13 lead. The Ravens would expand that lead to 20-14 and it felt like the Ravens would win this match in four sets. Still ahead 23-18 and needing only two points to win the match, the Falcon's Kaylee Martinez won the last six points after a Cedar Crest side-out to snatch the fourth set from the Ravens, 25-23, to set up a deciding fifth set.
Rosemont got out to a 4-1 lead to start the deciding set and although the Falcons snuck closer, to within a point with the score 7-6, the Ravens expanded their lead to 10-6. Ahead by only two points, 11-9, The Ravens would win on Sabrina Heggan's last three serves after a side-out to win the fifth set 15-9.
Rosemont's front line had a strong game. Nadirah Anderson led the Ravens with 40 attacks. Not far behind, Morgan Rollins had 39 attacks while Leilani Carter had 37. Sabrina Heggan was credited for 38 attacks on teammate kills. Carter scored nine service aces while Heggan had six. Carter also had two solo blocks and a block assist. Taylor Gasperi and Rollins each had a solo block in the match. Maria Athanasiadis had 25 digs on defense. Rollins had 17 kills and Nadirah Anderson had 15 on the night.
The Ravens continue their home stand a week from tonight when they host Keystone in Alumnae Hall on Tuesday, 9/29 in a CSAC match starting at 7:00pm.
