High-Flying Saints Drop Gophers in Straight Sets

ARLINGTON, Va. — Goucher knew it would face a tall task trying to top a Marymount (Va.) squad which entered tonight's matchup having won 20 of its first 25 contests to start the season.

Unfortunately, the Saints lived up to that record with a three-set victory over the Gophers this evening. Set scores were 25-12, 25-20, 25-19.

Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional) totaled seven kills and three solo blocks to lead Goucher (7-15). Kelly Budge (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan) added six kills and 10 digs, while Val Kirsch (Westport, Conn./Staples) finished with a team-high 16 digs.

Marymount (21-5) had a match-high .306 attack percentage as a team in the opening set, pulling away from the Gophers early by winning eight of the match's first 10 points.

Goucher started the second set on a brighter note, winning four straight points with Corinne Kahler (York, Pa./York Country Day) serving to take an early 5-1 lead. That lead was maintained for the first half of the set, with a kill from Kahler making it 14-10, Gophers, but the Saints then went on a 7-0 run and Goucher would never regain an advantage.

Trailing 15-12 in the third set, the Gophers rattled off four consecutive points to jump in front. Marymount, though, managed another 7-0 run to retake control and the Saints eventually closed out the win.

Erin Allison paced Marymount with nine kills (behind a .400 attack percentage) and 11 digs.

The Gophers return to the Decker Sports & Recreation Center on Saturday for their last two home matches of 2014. Goucher hosts Hood at 11 a.m. and Rosemont at 3 p.m. during a tri-match between the three teams. The Gophers will also be raising money to fight against cancer through the Coaches vs. Cancer program. More information on that initiative can be found here.