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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Cassi Calamunci tabbed a season-high 23 kills. 
Tia Wahdan
Cassi Calamunci tabbed a season-high 23 kills. 
1
Hiram Hiram 9-6,0-1 NCAC
3
Winner John Carroll JCU 13-3,1-0 OAC
Hiram Hiram
9-6,0-1 NCAC
1
Final
3
John Carroll JCU
13-3,1-0 OAC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Hiram Hiram 23 25 22 23 (1)
John Carroll JCU 25 22 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Gabby Hougan, Staff Writer

Calamunci & Co. Extend JCU Volleyball's Win Streak to Eight

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- In a four set nailbiter, John Carroll Volleyball continued its win streak, making it eight straight. 
 
The key to success during this stretch, including a 3-1 win tonight over Hiram? Consistency. 

"We're not afraid to get down and we've done a really good job of being the underdog even in our own court. Not panicking is important," said Head Coach Michele Benoit. 
 
The Blue Streaks did just that tonight in University Heights, remaining calm against a non-conference foe. John Carroll bested the Terriers at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center on Wednesday evening by set scores of 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23. 
 
The Blue Streaks clenched the first set with a score of 25-23. After a strong start from Hiram, the Blue Streaks tied the game at 7-7 and battled back and forth to ultimately win the set by two. It was a strong start from the Blue Streaks. 
 
In a gritty second set, key blocks from Jennifer Follmer and Abigail Kirk helped close in on the lead Hiram built early on, but the Blue Streaks still came up a few points short, 25-22.  
 
Despite a change in momentum, the Blue Streaks stayed cool under the mounting pressure and were able to steal the third and fourth sets. 
 
Hiram tied the third set at 10-10, but Cassi Calamunci responded with not one or two, but four consecutive power kills to put the Blue Streaks on top 14-10. Calamunci cooked up some excellent offense for the Blue Streaks. 
 
Despite stalls in the game, including a yellow card dished out to JCU and a mix-up in the Terrier rotation, the Blue Streaks maintained high energy and won the set in a close score of 25-22. 
 
Hiram appeared to be in great shape to make it a five-setter, as a couple calls set back the Blue Streaks. John Carroll trailed 22-20 in the fourth set, so Benoit called a timeout. 

The Blue Streaks responded well, tying it up at 23-23. Serves from Lexi MacDonald and clutch saves from Payton Miozzi helped set up Calamunci for a game sealing hit. 

Calamunci racked up an insane 23 kills to lead the Blue Streaks. Her 23 kills were a season-high, her most since September 2, 2021 vs. Bethany when the Sylvania native tallied 28. 
 
"Cassi played a great game," said Benoit. "We kept feeding her the ball until they stopped her." 
 
Benoit went on to mention amazing performances from both Jessica Liddle and Abby Kirk. Liddle tallied 8 kills while Kirk registered 12, behind Calamunci. Steph Conley also played well with 9 kills. As a team, JCU enjoyed a better hitting percentage, .168 to .158. 

Ally Bartolone set up some of the beautiful kills, with a season-best 33 assists, her most since October 27, 2021. Maddie Maziarz also excelled with 21 assists. 

In the backrow, Lexi MacDonald topped the team with 26 digs, followed by Calamunci with 21. Payton Miozzi chipped in 18, as well. 

Seven service aces, including three by Liddle, helped John Carroll in a narrow battle, as well.

The Blue Streaks now match the team's longest winning streak since 2019. The Blue Streaks, now 13-3, will look to match the 2019 team's 15-3 start, as John Carroll travels to Penn State Behrend on Friday. 
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