Box Score

RIVERDALE, NY - The #1 CMSV Women's Volleyball team took on #3 Mt. St. Mary's in the Skyline Women's Volleyball Championships Final on Saturday night, with the Dolphins earning a 3-1 victory, to clinch the programs first appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first Sklyine Women's Volleyball title. After dropping the first set 25-18, the Dolphins responded taking the next three sets by the scores of 25-22, 26-24 and 25-11.

The Knights took the first set  with aggressive attacking play at the net as they hit .414% as a team while totaling 15 kills, compared the .182% and 12 kills for the Dolphins. 

In the 2nd set, the Dolphins opened up an early 10-4 lead led by senior Ashleigh Scozzari who rallied off five kills in a row during a six point run. The Knights would chip away at the lead eventually taking the lead 15-14 after an ace by Kristen Maddock. The Dolphins awoke, scoring five of the next six points to take a 19-16 lead. They would close the set out  winning four of the final six points.

Early on in the 3rd set the teams traded points as neither team took a lead larger than one point until the Dolphins won five of seven points thanks to errant serving by the Knights and strong attacking play by Zana Daluz who tallied two kills during the run giving the Dolphins a 11-9 lead.

The Dolphins took advantage of their opponents errors and struck when the opportunity presented to take an 18-14 lead. The Knights would bounce back to tie the game twice at 21 and 22 and would eventually take a 24-22 lead, forcing a Dolphins timeout. After the timeout, the won the next four points with kills from Maria Leineweber and the clinching point on a kill by Daluz.

In the 4th set, in front of a raucous home crowd, the Dolphins dominated from the start jumping out to an 8-2 lead, with kills from Leineweber and Scozzari. They continued the pressure with great serve placements, passing and attacks, hitting .444% in the set, committing only three errors. Scozzari would clinch the title for her team with a kill, her game-high 21st.

Scozzari led all players with 21 kills and four total blocks, including two solo. Leineweber and Daluz chipped in with 12 and 10 kills respectively, while Nicole Henderson was outstanding totaling 37 assists.

For her performance, Scozzari was named Tournament MVP.

The Dolphins await their draw in the 2015 NCAA Tournament which can be watched live online at 11am. Check back tomorrow for details about a viewing party!