UTICA – The Lady Raiders took care of business at Mohawk Valley CC on Wednesday, shutting out the Lady Hawks in straight sets.

Photo:  The pre-game handshakes

First Set – Morey's Memorable Serving

Whitney Ostrander's kills gave FM leads of 3-1 and 4-2, and got the Lady Raiders started. Katlyn Pierce added a kill, a block, and another kill, making the score 9-3.

FM won back the serve with the score 10-7, and Karissa Morey stepped to the line. She was about to go on a serving run to remember. Morey served and FM won the point. Then it happened again. And again. Morey was making good, forcing serves, and she mixed in some aces – four aces in all. Morey hit 15 consecutive successful serves, leading her team to a 25-7 set win. It was a remarkable performance by Morey and the Raiders.

After all three sets had been played, Morey's tally was 28 serves with only one service error. Kaylee Gillen also had a fine night from the line, making 16 serves without an error. Elizabeth Hayward also had a typically strong night at the service line.

Photo:  Liz Hayward attacks

Second Set

Head Coach Rachael Salvione sent her usual set starter, Zara Hyde, to the service line. Ostrander killed. Pierce blocked for a point. Morey killed. Gillen made a great save to enable FM to tally their sixth point. Pierce killed, and FM led 8-1.

Every FM player was contributing. Kaylee Robinson killed. Hayward killed. Gillen served, and FM led 20-10. The final score was 25-12.

Third Set

FM had a slower start and found themselves trailing 5-4. Then they got their game in gear. A nice dink shot by Pierce made it 11-5, FM. A smart flick by Hyde made it 17-8. The final score was 17-8.

Looking Ahead

The team is off until Monday when they will host the Word of Life Bible Institute in a non-conference, non-regional contest. The first serve is set for 6:00 p.m.

Photo:  Whitney Ostrander powers a shot past two defenders

The Lady Raiders (14-2) will resume their conference play next Wednesday at Herkimer CCC (2-16).

FM will have an opportunity to even the score with SUNY Adirondack on Saturday, October 18. They will have three pod matches at Herkimer, and their final match that day will be with Adirondack. The Lady Timberwolves are one of only two teams that have defeated FM this season. The Raiders and T-Wolves will meet on the 18th and, quite possibly, again in the Mountain Valley Conference Tournament on October 25.

                       C.J. Bonny, website writer

Stat Highlights

Gillen - 10 digs; Ostrander - 6 kills; Pierce - 14 kills, 4 blocks; Robinson - 5 kills, 3 digs; Hyde - 25 assists, 2 aces, 2 kills; Hayward - 2 kills, 4 digs; Morey - 5 aces, 6 digs, 5 kills

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