Mount Saint Mary College women’s volleyball earned an important Skyline Conference victory Saturday morning, defeating Old Westbury, 3-0, at the Clark Athletic Center. The Knights took all three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 25-17, overcoming a competitive Old Westbury squad that kept the opening two sets close. Mount Saint Mary’s received balanced offensive production and strong serving throughout the match, while its ability to deliver key points late in each set proved to be the difference. The victory improved the Knights to 13-8 overall and 6-4 in Skyline play, while Old Westbury fell to 7-11 overall and 3-8 in conference action.
The opening set featured an exciting back-and-forth battle. Mount Saint Mary’s initially appeared to be pulling away, building a 17-5 advantage behind its attacking game and service pressure. Old Westbury refused to go away, however, putting together a major rally behind Nicole Zugnoni and Paige Herbert. The Panthers fought all the way back to tie the set at 17-17, creating a tense finish. Both teams traded points down the stretch, but Julianna Simone delivered a timely kill and Emily Baron followed with a service ace to help the Knights regain control. Simone then finished the set with another kill, giving Mount Saint Mary’s a narrow 25-23 victory and a 1-0 match lead.
Old Westbury continued to challenge the Knights in the second set, using its offensive balance to stay within striking distance. Zugnoni and Herbert remained important contributors, while Julia Brandes helped distribute the offense and keep the Panthers competitive. Mount Saint Mary’s responded with another balanced effort, relying on Simone and Kaitlin Dillon to produce important kills. Sofia Fredericks continued to direct the attack, creating opportunities for the Knights to maintain their advantage. Mount Saint Mary’s eventually pulled away late in the set, earning a 25-21 win to move within one set of completing the sweep.
The Knights carried that momentum into the third set, but Old Westbury continued to compete and finished with a higher kill total for the match. Mount Saint Mary’s remained efficient in key situations, limiting its errors and taking advantage of service opportunities. Simone and Dillon continued to lead the offensive effort, while Fredericks kept the offense organized with consistent setting. The Knights gradually created separation and prevented the Panthers from mounting another late comeback. Mount Saint Mary’s closed out the set, 25-17, completing the straight-set victory and securing its sixth Skyline Conference win of the season.
Although Old Westbury finished with a 39-32 advantage in kills, Mount Saint Mary’s made the most of its opportunities and controlled the match with its serving. The Knights recorded 10 service aces compared with five for the Panthers, while both teams finished with three total blocks. Mount Saint Mary’s hit .205 as a team, narrowly ahead of Old Westbury’s .202. Simone led the Knights with 11 kills, three service aces and six digs. Dillon added 10 kills while hitting an impressive .500, and Fredericks orchestrated the offense with 23 assists. Sienna Pollock contributed seven digs, while Dillon led the team with three total blocks. For Old Westbury, Zugnoni delivered a team-high 13 kills while hitting .600, and Herbert added 11 kills and a team-high 13 digs. Brandes finished with 24 assists and two service aces, while Ava Cavanaugh contributed 10 digs. The Panthers also held advantages in assists, 33-27, and digs, 38-33, but Mount Saint Mary’s timely serving and ability to close out tight sets proved decisive. The victory moved the Knights to 13-8 overall and 6-4 in Skyline play, while Old Westbury dropped to 7-11 overall and 3-8 in conference action.