Dartmouth Cruises to 3-0 Win Over FDU

Saturday, September 16

New York, N.Y. / Rose Hill Gym

3:30 PM

Dartmouth College

3-5,0-0Ivy League

FDU

1-11,0-0NEC

FDU

Dartmouth

Photo by: Chloe Broeker

9/16/2023 6:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Big Green look to ride the momentum into the Ivy League opener

By: Kyle Relf

BRONX, N.Y. — The Dartmouth volleyball team rolled to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-23) victory over FDU to cap off Fordham's Rose Hill Classic on Saturday afternoon. The victory presents a welcomed momentum boost to the Big Green, who next take the court for the start of Ivy League play on Friday, Sept. 22.

Dartmouth improved to 3-5 on the season, while FDU fell to 1-11.

Ellie Blain, who was good for 20 points in Friday's five-setter against Fordham, was masterful once again with a match-high 11 kills at a .429 clip. The 2022 All-Ivy Second Team honoree also has back-to-back matches with double-digit digs to her credit after leading both Dartmouth and FDU with 11. Amelia Gibbs hit better than .500 on her way to eight kills, which complemented her five blocks. FDU hit just .097 against the Big Green, who have held opponents below .100 in two of their last four matches.

Tied 18-18 in the first set, momentum swung in Dartmouth's favor with an FDU service error and the Big Green capitalized by stringing together a block from Maddie LaFata and Gibbs, along with a Kauany Gutz kill. Gibbs' kill at set point sent Dartmouth into set two with a 1-0 edge and further set the tone for what would be the Big Green's second three-set triumph of the season. The first set was Dartmouth's most efficient, evidenced by a .350 hitting percentage.

FDU raced to an 8-3 lead early in set two thanks to a 5-0 run, but the Big Green would soon reach a 10-10 tie. Both teams traded blows until Dartmouth took control with a late 4-0 run, leading to a 22-18 advantage. Gibbs, who was crucial down the stretch with an ace, a block and multiple kills, delivered the winner at set point.

FDU, which embarked on a 7-0 run during set three, threatened to force a fourth after Sofia Rampazzo's ace gave the Knights an 18-17 advantage. A couple Blain kills and a Karen Murphy ace helped the Big Green battle back for a 20-19 lead. Gutz's kill broke a 23-23 deadlock and a block from Gibbs and Emma Sinclair sent Dartmouth into Ancient Eight action on a high note.

The Big Green's next match, the Ivy League opener against Harvard, will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Brandon Bojarsky on the call and live stats will be available through DartmouthSports.com. Dartmouth took both matches from the Crimson in 2022 on its way to the inaugural four-team Ivy League Tournament.