Rocchio, Women's Volleyball Set Blocking Marks in win over Emmanuel

BOSTON, Mass. – Ava Rocchio set a program record for blocks in a three-set match and tied the program record for blocks in a match with nine and the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team's 12 blocks also set a program-record for a three-set match as the Leopards ran their win streak to four with a 3-0 win over Emmanuel.

With the win the Leopards improve to 5-2 while the Saints suffer their first loss of the season, falling to 5-1 .

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• An Olivia Vaughn ace gave Wentworth a 6-2 lead to open the match. Emmanuel scored the next three point to cut into the lead at 6-5 and trailed, 11-9, before a Kate McLane kill sent Amanda Zweifler to the service line where she scored six straight points, three of which came from kills by Rocchio, Emma Sanders, and McLane, giving the Leopards an 18-9 lead. Wentworth's largest lead of the set came on an Elena Davenport kill to make it 24-14 and Davenport closed out the set (25-15) with a kill.
• Wentworth raced out to a 5-0 lead to start the second set, thanks in part to a pair of kills from Sanders, and took an 11-4 lead after back-to-back kills from McLane. However, scored five straight points to pull within two at 11-9. Rocchio and McLane teamed up for a block to ignite a 10-2 run which was capped off by an ace from Rocchio. The Saints countered with a 7-1 run to trim the lead to 22-18 but the Black & Gold pulled away for a 25-20 win to take a 2-0 lead.
• Emmanuel opened the third set taking a 12-6 lead, which included a 6-0 run after the set was tied at 6-all. Sanders ended the run with a kill, which started a 17-3 run and gave Wentworth a 23-15 lead. During the run, Vaughn served nine points. Sanders ended the match with a kill as the Leopards took the third set, 25-17.
• McLane paced Wentworth with 12 kills to go along with six digs and three blocks. Sanders put down 10 kills and had 11 digs and six blocks. In addition to Rocchio's nine blocks, she had five kills, two aces, and hit .556 (5-0-9). Davenport added five kills. Vaughn dished out 27 assists and served three aces while also recording eight digs. Zweifler had 12 digs on the night.

THE SERIES:

• Tonight was the 26th all-time meeting between the two teams. Wentworth has won the last six meetings.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth hosts Emerson and Rivier in a tri-match on Saturday. This match will be played at Emerson.

For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on "X," Facebook and Instagram.