NORTH EAST, Md- The Harford women's volleyball team traveled up I-95 to participate in a tri-match at Cecil College. The Fighting Owls split their two matches as they were able to defeat the NOVA Nighthawks in four sets, but fell to the Cecil Seahawks in four sets. Harford is now 14-5 on the season and 6-1 in conference as the lost to Cecil was the first conference defeat of the year.

Cecil 3 - Harford 1  (25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 25-13)

The Fighting Owls first match of the day was a mix of effective blocking and attacking along with errors that Harford was unable to overcome.

The Seahawks came out firing as they were using powerful jump serves all night long to keep the Fighting Owls on their back heels. Harford countered that with some great play at the net as they came up with 7 solo blocks and 14 assisted blocks as a team led by Phoenix Offutt with 4 solo and 3 assisted blocks.

Julia Gatch was one of Harford's most effective hitters of the day as she led the team with 8 kills and 4 aces while libero Rebekah Hanshaw led the back line defense with 13 digs.

Harford 3 - NOVA 1 (25-19, 25-19, 24-26, 25-16)

After a tough loss in the first match, the Fighting Owls came back with a fury to blast the Northern Virginia Nighthawks in four sets. After winning the first two and then barely losing the third, Harford dominated the fourth set to take the match.

Jenna Hathazi took over the setting duties in this match as she continues to show off her versatility for Harford this year. She put in a fine performance as she picked up 28 assists and only a single ball handling error. Rebekah Hanshaw played some fantastic defense as she tallied 24 digs and Savannah Meyers earned a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs.

But the real story of this match was the fantastic blocking of the Fighting Owls, especially for their two middle hitters. Phoenix Offutt was just dominant on the day as she got 8 solo blocks and 4 more assisted to go along with her 5 kills. Mary Snow wasn't far behind Offutt as she was able to get 6 solo blocks and 2 assisted.


The Fighting Owls will return home as they take on Montgomery on Monday, October 3rd for a 6 PM match at the APGFCU Arena.