Cairn University Athletics

New York, NY - Highlanders Win a Pair of Matches in Tri-Match.

Match 1 Cairn vs. Wilkes:

Cairn (7-2 / 0-0 United East) jumped out in front early in the first set 52, including aces  by both sophomore opposite Bella Manthe (Manila, Philippines / Faith Academy) and Junior Libero Liliana Magazzu (Reading, PA Exeter Township). 3 kills by sophomore outside hitter Marah Lehman (Chambersburg, PA / Chambersburg) and a pair of aces from senior setter Anna Dow (Syracuse, NY / Faith Heritage School) helped the Highlanders extend the lead to 15-5. Wilkes (8-4 / 0-0 Landmark), came storming back and brought the game within 3 points at 18-15. The Highlanders responded by winning 6 of the next 7 points including 2 kills by senior middle blocker Georgianna Thorpe (Southampton, PA / William Tennent). Wilkes won 4 straight, but Cairn closed the set with a kill by Lehman to go up 25-20. 

In set 2 it was Wilkes who got off to a strong start, going up 5-1 to open the frame. 3 kills by Lehman helped the Highlanders claw back into the set. Cairn used a 5 point run to claim the lead 16-14. The Highlanders then extended the lead to 20-16, and a trio of Lehman kills helped Cairn close out the set and go up 2-0 over Wilkes. 

A pair of kills by Thorpe and a Manthe ace put Cairn up 7-3 to open set 3. Manthe recorded back-to-back kills to help extend the advantage to 14-7. Wilkes rallied to cut the lead to 18-14, but kills from Lehman, senior middle hitter Madison Delp (York, PA Clarks Summit University), and Thorpe helped Cairn close the set 25-19. 

Match 2 Cairn vs. John Jay:
John Jay (2-7 / 0-0 CUNYAC) got out in front 7-2 to start Cairn's second match of the day. The Highlanders battled to stay in the set, using a 5 point streak to narrow he gap to 3 points at 20-23, but the Bloodhounds closed the set 25-20,

The second set was much closer, John Jay still held the lead for most of the set, but the Highlanders always remained in striking distance. Cairn finally claimed the lead 20-19 after a streak where they won 6/7 points, including a kill and an ace by Lehman. John Jay battled back to go up 22-21, but kills by Lehman and senior outside hitter Bridget Dahn (Smithsburg, MD / Heritage Academy) set up the Highlanders to claim the set on an ace by Manthe. 

The third set was more of the same with the Bloodhounds in control for most of the set. Cairn's first lead in the frame came at 21-20 halfway through a dominant 8 point run from the Highlanders to claim the set. This streak included 3 kills from Manthe and another ace by Magazzu. 

Set 4 saw the Highlanders find their footing out of the gate for the first time with a trio of Lehman kills propelling the Cairn offense to a 12-5 advantage over the Bloodhounds. Dahn and Lehman each recorded 2 kills down the stretch of the 4th and final frame to help the Highlanders secure a 3-1 win over John Jay.

Cairn will be back at home September 22nd to host Rowan for a 7 PM match inside the Mason Activity Center.