STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Four players in double-figure kills and three with double-doubles added up to a dominant offensive effort as the Stony Brook volleyball team knocked off Tarleton State in four sets to open up the 2021 Stony Brook Invitational at Pritchard Gym. The Seawolves recorded 68 kills, hitting .358 including a .581 percent attack in the third set to help power them to the victory.
The attack was highlighted by
Hailey Barden's career-high 15 kills, the second double-figure kill total of her 2021 campaign.
Leoni Kunz led all Seawolves with 19 kills, matching her career-best.
Torri Henry also helped direct the Seawolves offense in a way few in the NCAA have been able to this season, dishing 57 assists. That number is good for fourth nationally in a four-set match.
STATS AND NOTES
- Henry's 57 assists, also a career high, were only bested by Cincinnati's Emme Madden (60) and Armania Heckenmueller (59), as well as Abilene Christian's Madison Rohre (59) for the most in a four-frame contest in the NCAA this year.
- The Belton, Mo., native has recorded 50 assists in a match two other times in her career but both were five-set occasions.
- Kunz also recorded 19 kills in a March 21, 2021 match with UAlbany as her previous career best.
- It is her fifth match in double figures this season, beating her previous career high of 17 against Wofford on August 27.
- Both of Barden's games of 10 or more kills have happened in the last three weeks, with her 15 tonight joining her season-opening 13 against Florida Atlantic.
- Stony Brook's .356 hitting percentage is its highest since hitting .387 against Hartford on November 16, 2018.
- The team recorded 66 assists on the night, tied for third-most in program history in a four-set match.
- That mark is also good for fourth in the NCAA this season in assists in a four-set match. The 68 kills are tied for eighth-most in that same category.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"Looking at the stats it's obvious this was a great offensive night for our group but I think that was really created by our effort to stay disciplined defensively. I was proud of our team for being patient through long rallies and earning points rather than getting frustrated by Tarletons great defensive effort. Excited for another two opportunities to compete in Pritchard again tomorrow." - head coach
Kristin Belzung
UP NEXT
The Seawolves play a pair tomorrow to round out its Stony Brook Invitational slate, taking on Yale at Noon and then St. Thomas at 6:30 p.m.
