Gophers Bested Again in Rematch with Green Terror

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher got a second crack at McDaniel this evening after a four-set defeat to the Green Terror two weeks ago, and the Gophers had the benefit of playing the rematch at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center.

The result, however, remained the same, with McDaniel coming away with a 3-0 victory. Set scores were 25-14, 25-21, 25-15.

The Green Terror (14-4) have now won four straight, while Goucher (7-11) suffered its third straight defeat.

Neither team gained an immediate advantage in the opening set. A kill from Erika DiPasquale (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) reduced McDaniel's slim lead to 10-8 midway through. After that, though, the Gophers dropped six consecutive points and the Green Terror closed out the set with ease afterwards.

The second set was Goucher's most competitive, and it was also their strongest from an attacking standpoint with the team registering a .225 attack percentage. Trailing 14-11, the Gophers rattled off four straight points, three of which came with Val Kirsch (Westport, Conn./Staples) serving, to take a brief 15-14 advantage.

Goucher had another lead at 17-16, and a kill from Kelly Budge (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan) leveled the set at 18. McDaniel then won five points in a row, and after a Gopher rally cut the deficit to 23-21, the Green Terror registered a kill and an ace to take a commanding lead in the match.

Things got out of hand quickly in the third, with McDaniel jumping in front 16-6 en route to the sweep.

Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional) led the offense with nine kills and two block assists. Michelle Tweedie (Accra, Ghana/Lincoln Community School) also had a pair of block assists to go along with six kills, while Meredith Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) supplied 13 digs. Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) had 22 of Goucher's 23 assists, moving within 23 of 2,000 assists for her Gopher career.

Kloe Martin registered 10 kills and six digs to pace the Green Terror.

Goucher returns right back to action tomorrow night with a 7 p.m. home contest against Washington (Md.).