No. 8 Seed Minnesota Ends Siena's Season in First Round of NCAA's
MAAC Sports
Jessy Jones led three Minnesota players with double digit kills, finishing 12 of her 17 attacks as Minnesota coasted to a 3-0 (30-16, 30-23, 30-15) win over Siena in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday night in Albany. The Saints, champions of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, finish the season with a 22-13 record.
"We went in knowing we were playing a good team and that we would have to play our best volleyball to win," head coach Garvey Pierre said. "This season was another great step forward for our program and we are excited about the future of Siena volleyball."
Freshman middle hitter Burgandy McCurty is a big part of that future. The MAAC Rookie of the Year had 10 kills and led all players with a .625 attack percentage.
"I had to be available to give (setter) April (London) options and I tried to capitalize on as many opportunities as possible," McCurty said. "We are excited with what we have accomplished and I am happy to be here, but with the talent we have coming back and the players that coach Pierre has coming in, our ultimate goal is to get to the second round and beyond."
Minnesota raced to a 6-1 lead in the first game and used a 10-0 run once Siena closed the gap to 18-14 to put the game away. The Saints struggled receiving the service of setter Rachel Hartmann during the key stretch.
Siena played its best volleyball in the second game, and trailed just 19-18 following a kill by Nadiege Honore and an attack error by Kelly Bowman. The Golden Gophers closed the game on an 11-4 run to pull off the 30-23 victory.
Minnesota took a 7-1 lead in the decisive third game behind Bowman's service and never looked back. Rachelle Hagerty came off the bench to kill four of her seven attacks pacing the Gopher's offense in the third game.
Minnesota controlled a significant statistical edge in kills (56-27), digs (46-30) and blocks (9-1). The Gophers also held a 7-1 edge in service aces, an area Siena has excelled in this season.
Meredith Nelson and Meghan Cumpston each had 10 kills for Minnesota. Libero Malama Peniata had 14 digs to lead all players. Siena libero Kathi Kobayashi led the Saints with 10 digs.
Senior captain Christie Gustafson, the only player who will be lost to graduation, will be difficult to replace. Gustafson finished her career second on Siena's all-time charts with 1,363 career kills. She is one of only three players in school history to finish her career with more than 1,000 kills and digs.
On this night, Gustafson struggled trying to guide her attacks past Minnesota's imposing front row. She finished with four kills, four digs and Siena's only block.
"I wish we played better and I wish I played better, but I can't be disappointed with what we have done," Gustafson said. "To reach the NCAA's two straight years is an amazing accomplishment and one I will always remember. I'm the only senior on the team this year, so they'll be in good position to make the tournament again (next year)."
The volleyball team became Siena's first program to post back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Minnesota advances to the second round and will play the winner of the UAlbany versus St. John's match Friday night.