Aston, Pa. -The Neumann Knights downed Rosemont College earning their 10th PAC win of the season with a sweep of the Ramblers at Bruder Gymnasium Thursday evening. Neumann improved to 18-8 overall and earned its tenth straight sweep of a Pennsylvania Athletic Conference opponent, defeating Rosemont 3-0 (30-7, 30-16, 30-15). Neumann (18-8, 10-0) recorded a .375 hitting percentage while holding the Ramblers (3-14, 0-9 PAC) to .000.
The Knights took a 15-2 lead in the first game and did not look back. Emilee Gruse (Lafayette, In. /St. Mark's) pounded home six kills in the game and Ashley Mathis (Norristown, Pa. /Norristown) had four kills on nine total attempts. Neumann recorded an impressive .567 hitting percentage, countered by a -.067 mark for Rosemont.
Gruse and Mathis continued to lead the Knights offensive attack in the second game, slamming in 6 of the Knights 12 kills. Cathleen Hazewski (Middletown, De. /Del Castle) kept the team from letting Rosemont back in with consecutive service aces, and the Knights took the second game, 30-16.
The third game was more of the same, as Mathis powered home seven kills, giving her 16 for the match to lead all scorers. Julia Tarloski (Malvern, Pa. (Bishop Shanahan) added five as the Knights put the Ramblers away with another victory, 30-15.
Prior to tonight's match Neumann College President Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, Head Coach Deana Jespersen and Director of Athletics Chuck Sack presented three Knights with commemorative Neumann Knights Volleyballs.
Neumann College junior Meghan Wilson (West Chester, Pa. /Bishop Shanahan) was recognized first for scoring her l000th career dig. Wilson recorded her l000th career dig in three-game sweep of the Cedar Crest Falcons on Monday night in Allentown, Pa.
The next Neumann Knight to be honored was Neumann College alumnus Devon (Pankowski) Wolski, a 2002 graduate, who has held the all-time assist record (2,180) since 2002. Devon's record was broken by Neumann Knights' junior Kristen Verone on September 1, 2007 against Catholic University.
Kristen Verone (Folsom, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) closed out the night's honors after she was presented with a commemorative ball marking 2,186 career assists and the all-time assist record prior to the start of the game.
The Knights are next in action on Saturday at the Baptist Bible Tri-Match where they will face off against the University of Scranton at 1:00 p.m. and Baptist Bible College at 3:00 p.m. They will also face PAC power house Eastern University (14-10, 9-0 PAC) on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in St. David's Pa.
