Gordon Fights Past Endicott
Oct. 16, 2007
BEVERLY, MA - Gordon College rallied from a two games to one deficit to hand Endicott College its first TCCC loss of the season on Tuesday night in Beverly, Massachusetts.
The Fighting Scots opened game one by jumping out to an early 4-1 lead. The Gulls responded by taking four of the next five points, evening the game at 5-all. The visitors rallied to take a 12-8 lead, however the run was ended by a strong kill from Endicott outside hitter Steph Wiese (Higganum, CT/Haddam-Killingworth). Moments later, Meghan Hall (Santa Cruz, CA/Aptos) gave the charging Gulls their first lead of the night as she slipped in a little touch shot, putting the Gulls up 16-15. Endicott and Gordon traded points over the next several minutes, with the Fighting Scots evening the game at 25-25 on an Endicott miscue and a nice block by Kristen Klein (San Fernando, CA/First Lutheran). A kill by the Blue and Green's Brittany Phillips (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln Sudbury) gave the Gulls a lead they would not relinquish, taking game one 30-27.
Endicott raced out to a commanding 5-1 lead in game two. Following a Gordon timeout, the Blue and Green tacked on three of the next four, building their advantage to 8-2. The Fighting Scots began to make a run near the midpoint of the second game, closing the margin to two on a kill by Robin Smalt (Rye, NH/Rye). Gordon then went on a run of its own, taking the next five points to pull ahead, 17-14. The visitors extended their lead to five as back-to-back Endicott miscues cost the Gulls much needed points. An Endicott timeout did nothing to slow the momentum of the Fighting Scots, as Gordon prevailed to win game two, 30-21.
A back-and-forth affair in the early moments of game three quickly turned into a Gordon advantage. The Fighting Scots, still cruising from their late advantage in game two, rushed out to a 9-4 lead. However the Gulls responded in the form of consecutive kills, one by Steph Wiese and the other by Hayley Janelle (Madbury, NH/Oyster River), pulling even at 11-all. From there, Endicott rattled off five of the next eight scores, taking a 15-13 lead. Capitalizing on Endicott mistakes, the Fighting Scots were once again able to compose themselves and regain the lead, 17-16. Following an EC timeout, the Gulls rallied and a clean solo block by Hayley Janelle pulled the home team even, 22-all. Endicott was able to build what would prove to be an insurmountable late lead, as the Gulls took game three, 30-24.
Game four opened with a convincing kill by Endicott's Hayley Janelle. The junior middle hitter powered a ball on the near side to the back right corner, tucking it inside the baseline for the 1-0 lead. The two teams exchanged points throughout the early going, as the Gulls and Fighting Scots found themselves deadlocked in an 8-8 tie. A strong serving run from Gordon's Meredith Phipps (New Hartford, NY/Waterford (Utah) gave the visitors a 12-9 lead. The three point lead was built into a five point advantage as a Meghan Hall serve sailed too far, putting Gordon up 19-14. Meredith Phipps notched consecutive points, a kill and a block, further extending her squad's lead. The advantage was all the Fighting Scots would need, as they rolled to a, 30-20, game four victory.
Endicott struck first in the decisive game five, jumping out to a quick 1-0 lead. The Fighting Scots came firing back, taking the next four scores to go ahead by thee. The visitors increased their lead to four on a net violation by the Gulls' Beth Dow (Pocasset, MA/Bourne). A timeout by Endicott slowed the visitors charge as the Gulls rallied to take the next three points, pulling within one at 6-5. With the Gulls now rolling, a service ace by Brittany Nolan (Monroe, CT/Masuk) evened the game, and a long return by Gordon gave the Gulls an 8-7 lead. Hayley Janelle put Endicott up two as she hammered home a kill at the Endicott net. Gordon responded by rattling off seven of the next eight points, quieting the home crowd with a 14-10 lead. Brittany Phillips kept the Gulls' hopes alive as she dropped in a nice block point. However the Gordon lead proved to be too much, as the Gulls dropped the fifth game, 15-11.
Gordon College was paced by Chelsea Duprey (Concord, NH/Concord Christian) and Blakely Burns (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach), as each player notched 14 kills in the win. Meredith Phipps accounted for seven blocks while classmate Kaylie McCallister (Pacific Palisades, CA/Palisades Charter) notched 23 digs. Kristen Klein (San Fernando, CA/First Lutheran) finished the night with 44 kills.
Steph Wiese led the Gulls as she had 15 kills and 23 digs for the Blue and Green. Hayley Janelle had 17 kills and two blocks while Brittany Phillips had 12 kills. Brittany Nolan had 20 digs while Meghan Hall dished out 54 assists in the losing effort.
The loss marks the Gulls first Conference loss of the season and their first TCCC loss since September 17, 2005. Endicott returns to action on Thursday evening as they step out of conference play to take on Rhode Island College at 7:00 PM. Gordon improves their winning streak to six in a row. The Fighting Scots get back to work as they partake in the Hall a Fame Tournament over the weekend.