BOCA RATON, Fla. – Behind a match-high 17.5 points from senior Mallory Deneen, the Lynn University volleyball team ran past Nova Southeastern University, 25-21, 25-17, 25-14 Friday night at the Fighting Knights' de Hoernle Center. LU improves to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in the Sunshine State Conference with the victory, while NSU falls to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in the SSC.
Deneen smacked 13 kills in 28 attempts for a .321 hitting percentage. The Santa Fe, N.M., native also had a game-high three aces on the night.
Lynn also received solid contributions from senior Haley Pratt, whoassisted on six blocks and recorded a solo block, as well as senior Lacy Redwine who accumulated 12 digs. Senior Devon Woolard also contributed with 15 assists and nine digs.
Neither team could muster any momentum in the first set, which saw 19 tied scores and six lead changes. After going up 20-19, a block by Sophie Gagnon gave the Knights a two-point lead, their largest of the set until that point. This caused NSU to call a timeout, but two kills from Deneen and one from Abdell gave Lynn a 24-19 advantage. Following a pair of points by the Sharks, Deneen sealed the first set with her fourth kill of the set.
After a 1-1 tie early in the second set, Lynn would cruise to a victorybehind three kills apiece by Deneen and Abdell. Sophomore Chelsea Semprini also had a pair of kills in the set. The Knights were also helped by Nova's ten attack errors in the set.
The Sharks came out strong early in the third set to take a 6-1 lead, prompting Fighting Knights head coach Lynze Roos to call a timeout. Lynn would respond after the break in play, and went on an 11-2 run behind two kills and three straight aces from Deneen.
A NSU attack error put Lynn on top, 13-9, forcing the Sharks to call a timeout in hopes of stopping the momentum. However, Lynn went on a 12-5 run to take the match.
The Blue & White out hit the Sharks, .247 to .055 for the match and doubled up on the Sharks in blocks, eight to four.
The Fighting Knights return to action on Saturday, September 25, at 4 p.m. when they travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., to take on Palm Beach Atlantic. Fans can follow the action live by logging on to www.LynnFightingKnights.com and selecting the "Game Central" icon.
