By Colin Richey, Sports Editor
The Griffs are headed back to the MAAC Championship after two conference wins over the weekend against Manhattan and Iona. The team’s 10–4 MAAC record currently ranks them fourth in the conference.
Hosting the Jaspers on Saturday, the Griffs dominated Manhattan, taking the match in three sets. Sophomore Lauren Hubert recorded a team-best 10 kills, with graduate student Sofia Hedqvist and senior Kara Zaucha adding nine kills each in the win. Junior Ella Bourque continued her success in the assist column, adding a team-high 18 in the effort. As a team, the Griffs had their best hitting percentage in a three-set match (.442) since 2018.
In their final home game of the regular season, Canisius hosted Iona for Senior Day. Once again, it was Hubert and Hedqvist leading the way with 12 kills each, as the Griffs took the match in four sets. Hedqvist also tallied a career-high five service aces in the win. The Gaels recorded 29 errors in the match, and hit just .056, the lowest mark for a Canisius opponent on the season.
When asked about Hedqvist’s performance, Head Coach Tom Hanna said with a smile, “That was awesome, she went on a run with three [service aces] in a row. She’s done a great job for us this year. She’s been a great addition and was able to step up and create that separation early in the match for us.”
Six seniors were honored before the game, including Hedqvist, Zaucha, Niccola Bozzini, Jillian Hanna, Emma Mans and Alexa Albinson. “They’re all good people,” explained Coach Hanna. “They’ve done so much for this program, and I hope we can reward the team, but also reward them with a good run in Albany in a few weeks.”
Before the MAAC Championship, the Griffs finish the season with four road games, including a match at Fairfield on Saturday at 1 p.m. and at Sacred Heart on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Sam Hughes
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