Gators sweep Hawks

Chestnut Hill, MA - Lyndsey Stults' Gators played just well enough to sweep Becker on Thursday, sneaking past the Hawks by a total of nine points (25-23, 25-20, 27-25) over three games. 
"We turned it on when we needed to," said the first-year head coach.  "We finished the game."
After falling behind 8-13 to start the match, the Gators came back to tie the opening game at 22, closing the victory scoring the final four points.  Junior Andrea Lavigne (Haverhill, MA/Whittier Tech) posted seven of her team-high 13 digs in the first. In her first action of the season, senior Ally Austin (Hamilton, OH/Badin) set five of her team-best seven assists in the frame.
Pine Manor again rallied in the second set. Trailing 18-19, the Gators rattled off seven of the game's last eight points, sealing a 25-20 victory.  Amanda Dennis (Haverhill, MA/Whittier Tech) had five of her team-best six blocks in the second.
The Gators survived a furious Becker rally in Game 3.  At match point up 24-17, the Pine Manor gave up seven straight points before scoring the final two to take the match, giving Stults her second career victory. Freshman Jennifer Gross (Coral Springs, FL/Coral Glades) totaled half of her eight digs in the third.
"Jennifer Gross played well today," Stults said. "She had some really strong net play and showed her defensive skills."
Stults improved to 2-1 as a head coach.  The Gators look to sweep their three-game homestand on Saturday, as they open GNAC play hosting St. Joesph (CT).
The Hawks fell to 1-2 on the season.  They travel to Simmons for a 7:00 match Tuesday night.

 --- Pine Manor Athletics ---