Volleyball Claims Sweep Over Crusaders

Saturday, October 5

West Point, NY

4:00 PM

Army West Point

6-8,2-3Patriot

Holy Cross

2-13,0-6Patriot

Holy Cross

Army West Point

Volleyball Claims Sweep Over Crusaders

October 05, 2024 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army Volleyball welcomed the Holy Cross Crusaders into Gillis Field House Friday afternoon for their first Patriot League matchup of the weekend. The Black Knights delivered a dominant performance to claim their first sweep over a League opponent in the 2024 season with set scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-20.

Juliette Myrick was an offensive powerhouse in the match, leading all players in kills with 11 on her way to collecting her fourth triple-double of the season with 11 kills, 20 assists, and 12 digs.

Army's middles put on a show in the contest as Breelyn Bender put up five kills on a .556 hitting percentage with a match-high 3.5 total blocks and Tatum Grimes notched six kills on a .235 hitting percentage with a tied-for-match-second 2.0 blocks.

Match Recap
The two teams appeared well matched as the match began, holding tied through 5-5 before Army found its stride and steadily pulled away from the Crusaders.

A kill from Myrick brought the Black Knights to a 10-5 lead and the sophomore setter put away three more kills in succession along with junior outside hitter Chloe Murakami's own kills to maintain Army's lead up through 14-10.

Holy Cross sought to cut the difference and pulled within one point at 18-17 with a pair of kills and service aces for the Crusaders, but a 6-2 run put Army in set point territory.

The Crusaders posted two more points with a kill and a block but decisive block against Holy Cross' outside hitter by Breelyn Bender and Kingsley Wallace clinched the first set for the Black Knights.

Army kept the momentum moving in their direction as the second set began, picking up a 3-1 lead with another block from Bender and Wallace, a kill from freshman middle blocker Tatum Grimes, and a kill from Wallace.

The Crusaders fought to stay near Army like they had in the opening points of set one, but Army would not be caught, and the Black Knights blew the second set open to an eight-point lead at 16-8 with an ace from Murakami.

The Black Knights maintained their aggressive pace of play, not relenting even as Holy Cross searched for a chink in Army's armor with kills of their own.

Bender and Grimes pushed the Black Knights into their second set point opportunity of the night with a slate of kills from the freshmen middles before an attacking error by the Crusaders gave Army the second set at 25-16.

Holy Cross decided to push the Black Knights in the third frame, utilizing a different setting pair for their 6-2 and maintaining a close set with Army up through the 10-10 mark.

The Crusaders' switch proved fruitful as the visitors pieced together a 7-2 run to take a 17-12 lead and challenge Army's chances for a sweep.

Junior outside hitter Mackenzie Lynch put down an emphatic kill to turn the tide and spark an Army 7-1 run to catch the Crusaders and send Army up into the lead at 19-18.

Holy Cross scrambled to shut the Black Knights down but Army's squad was in stride and the match soon found its end a pair of Myrick aces and trio of errors from the Crusaders secured Army's first sweep over a Patriot League opponent in the 2024 season.

Black Knight Bullet Points

Sophomore setter Juliette Myrick led the match in kills with 11 as she clocked her fourth triple-double of the season with 11 kills, 20 assists, and 12 digs. She also led the Black Knights in service aces with two of the team's five aces earned by her hand.
The Black Knights hit a combined .239 in the match, led by Breelyn Bender at a .556 clip and Myrick with a .471 hitting percentage of her own.
Freshman libero Nicole Stroud tied Myrick for a match-second and team-high 12 digs in the contest.
The Black Knights were a force to be reckoned with at the net, posting 9.0 total blocks to the Crusaders' 5.0. Breelyn Bender led Army with 3.5 total blocks in the contest from a solo block and five block assists.

Coach's Corner
"It was a goal today for the team to start and finish strong and, while it was a little tough in the middle of the third set, I am proud of the team for regrouping, refocusing, and reaching our goals," said Head Coach Alma Kovaci Lee. "Juliette [Myrick] is such a competitor and never backs down! She led us in kills today which is incredible from one of our setters. Naomi [Chinchar] came in and set our middles really well. We will enjoy this win tonight and are excited to compete again tomorrow against a tough Colgate team."

Up Next
Army will next host the Colgate Raiders at Gillis Field House on Sunday, Oct. 6^th in a contest beginning at 2pm ET.

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point women's volleyball, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_VB and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.