Throggs Neck, NY – In the second game of a Tri-Match at Sarah Lawrence College on Saturday afternoon, junior outside hitter Danielle Scicutella (Queens, NY/Mary Louis) (Queens, NY/Mary Louis) recorded season highs of 17 kills and 13 digs to lead the Privateers to their first win of the season over the Bridges of Brooklyn College 3-0 (30-24, 30-18, 30, 27).

 

Head Coach Ennio Escoto dug deep into his coaching strategy as the team was once again without starting middle blockers Anna Kuchin (Brooklyn, NY/Lincoln) (ankle) and Rita Martins (Holtsville, NY/Sachem) who suffered a partially broken nose earlier in the week. The coach’s decision saw the Privateers utilize the libero position for the first time this season with freshman Christine Heidelbough (Earlville, PA/Boyertown Area Senior High) (Earville, PA/Boyertown Area Senior High) stepping into the role and adding some solid play with a total of 16 digs in the two matches. Starting in the middle was the combo of freshmen Marissa Webber-Bey (Far Rockaway, NY/HS of Fashion) and Jeanette Golson (Brooklyn, NY/Transit Tech) (Brooklyn, NY/Transit Tech). These two have come a long way since the season started as it was the first time either competed in organized volleyball. Standing at 5-9 and 5-10, the two are used to taking advantage of their height on the basketball court so it did not take them long to get used to doing the same in front of the net. In the two matches on Saturday, they combined for a total of 20 blocks, and changed the direction of almost every ball hit by the opposing teams. Golson currently leads the Skyline Conference in blocks with 45 total in 38 games.

 

 In the first game of the day, the Privateers fell to the host team Sarah Lawrence 3-0. Each game was close with the fifth game coming down to a 32-30 decision as the Privateers did what they could to stay in this one. Freshman outside hitter Brittany McVea (Camillus, NY/West Genesse) (Camillos, NY/West Genesse) fired 12 kills and defended 16 digs, while freshman setter Mackenzie Hough (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCourt) (Johnston, Pa/Bishop McCort) dished 11 assists and a career high of 19 digs. McVea served up nine aces on the day and has continued to impress in her first year with the Privateers. Currently McVea and Scicutella are the top two leaders in a majority of the team’s statistical categories.

 

The Privateers hope to carry this win into the coming week as they face off against the Lightning of Lehman College on Wednesday at Lehman in their only match of the week.

 

- Maritime -