Nov. 20, 2009

Oakdale, NY - The Golden Lions defeated the Bentley University Falcons 3-0 in the NCAA Regional Semi-finals.

Dowling stumbled out of the starting block in the first set as they fell behind 8-11. The Golden Lions struggles continued as Bentley went on a 4-1 run to open up a 15-9 lead. After an Alex Koszalka timeout Dowling regained its composure from their Senior leadership of Kelly Scott (Moscow, ID) and Patrycja Klekotka (Siedlce, Poland). Scott and Klekotka combined for 2 kills each to help the Golden Lions erase the deficit and tie the game at 17 all. The Falcons were resilient in their effort as they fought back to regain a 24-20 advantage, but 5 straight by Bentley let Dowling right back into the set and they capitalized on a Klekotka kill to end the first set 26-24. Klekotka had the firepower offensively for the Golden Lions with 4 kills in the set. Alaura Berry led the Falcons with 4 kills.

Dowling hit the ground running in the set with the power serving of Klekotka. Her tough serving set up the Golden Lions attack which featured a kill from Janae Giles (Sandy, UT) and a service ace and kill from Klekotka to open a 5-0 led in the first set before a Bentley timeout. Yet again the falcons would fight back tieing the set at 7. At that juncture the Golden Lions went on a 10-2 run to take a commanding 17-9 run. Bentley again would fight back to within 2 at 21-19 but back to back kills by Bethany Shepard (Lakewood, CO) would put the Falcons at the brink and a kill by Kelly Scott ended the second set 25-20. Klekotka again led the Golden Lions with 5 kills in the set and Alex Kearney led Bentley with 4 kills to bring her total to 8.

The 3rd set proved to be the final as Dowling really got rolling offensively. The Golden Lions exploded out to a 11-3 and never looked back as they expanded that lead to 19-5. Janae Giles would end the match and send Dowling into the NCAA East Regional finals with a service ace. Monika Kasperek led the way with 3 kills for Dowling and Kristine Mickelson contributed 3 kills for Bentley in the 3rd set.

Junior Jovonna Rodriguez (Middletown, NY) pitched in with 5 digs and 2 assists in the back row for the Golden Lions. Klekotka's 12 kills, 2 service aces and 2 block assists was the driving force behind Dowling's victory. Scott finished with 8 kills, 6 total blocks and a .571 hitting percentage. Kristine Mickelson paced the Falcon attack with 9 kills and a .467 hitting percentage.

Dowling will next take on Bridgeport on Saturday November 21st at 7:00 PM in the NCAA East Regional Final.