Marist volleyball returned to form on Saturday night, defeating Sacred Heart in four sets at McCann Arena.
After a hot start to conference play, Marist found itself in unfamiliar territory, dropping three straight matches after winning four of its first five metro matches. Under first-year head coach Annie DeLoid, the Red Foxes showed early signs of progress but struggled to maintain that momentum over the past two weeks.
Sacred Heart entered the matchup with a 5-3 conference record, just one win ahead of Marist, setting up an opportunity for the Red Foxes to regain their footing.
Sophomore outside hitter Mallory Reck finished with a match-high 19 kills, while sophomore setter Caelyn Dumas recorded 39 assists. Freshman middle blocker/outside hitter Molly Malone anchored Marist’s blocking effort with six blocks, helping the Red Foxes finish with 11 total blocks compared to Sacred Heart’s six.
The squads traded points throughout the opening set, with neither able to gain much separation. After the Pioneers built an early 8-3 lead, Marist fought back with a series of kills and a service ace from sophomore setter Caelyn Dumas to give Marist the edge. The teams continued to battle, keeping the set close heading into the final stretch.
With the set hanging in the balance, sophomore outside hitter Mallory Reck delivered a key kill off a Dumas assist to put Marist in front at 24-23. Sacred Heart answered to even the score, but the Red Foxes stayed composed as the pressure mounted. After another late tie, the Pioneers committed consecutive attack errors, giving Marist the opportunity it needed to close out the set, 26-24.
Marist carried that energy into the second set, opening with four straight points before Sacred Heart fought back to even the score. The Red Foxes responded at the net, with senior right-side hitter Trinity Woods contributing kills as the offense continued to find openings in the Pioneers defense. Dumas added another service ace as Marist worked to maintain its advantage.
The Red Foxes pulled away late in the set, limiting Sacred Heart’s opportunities to build momentum. Marist closed out the frame, 25-18, to take a two-set lead.
Sacred Heart would not go down in straight sets, building an early lead and forcing Marist to play from behind. The Red Foxes stayed within reach, with Reck continuing to contribute offensively and Dumas setting up opportunities at the net. However, the Pioneers maintained their lead through the closing points, taking the set 25-21 to cut Marist’s advantage to one.
Facing the possibility of a deciding fifth set, Marist regrouped in the fourth. Sacred Heart opened with three straight points, but the Red Foxes gradually worked their way back into the set. Senior libero Cecilia Potter-Pessoa helped spark the rally with consecutive service aces, while a kill from junior middle blocker Sarah Bumstead brought Marist within one at 10-9.
Sacred Heart regained a narrow advantage but Reck helped keep the Red Foxes within reach with a series of kills backed by Dumas assists. Marist continued to chip away at the deficit before taking the lead late in the set. With the score tied at 20, the Red Foxes capitalized on a series of Sacred Heart attack errors and finished the set on a five-point run to secure the 25-20 victory.
Marist will remain at McCann Arena on Friday to take on Canisius at 11 a.m. as they look to build on their win over Sacred Heart.
Edited by August Lieberman
Photo by Jaylen Rizzo
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