WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The Catholic volleyball team returned back to Franny Murray Court after a three-game road trip to take on a Landmark opponent in Goucher. The Cardinals remained in control throughout the match in all aspects of the game and closed out a 3-0 sweep of the Gophers to earn their 10th win of the season and get back to above .500 in conference play at 3-2.

The Cardinals offensively put on one of the most impressive displays in program history, finishing the match with a staggering .466 hitting percentage. This percentage is the third-highest in a single match in team history since the 25-point match scoring was adopted in 2008, trailing .491 (Trinity Washington, 2009) and .482 (Wesley, 2016). The most notable of the sets was the second one for Catholic, finishing with 16 kills on 22 swings without committing a single error for a .727 hit percentage.

Catholic made life difficult on the Gophers on the defensive end as well, holding Goucher to just a -.111 hitting percentage for the match. The tone was set in the opening frame when Goucher picked up only three kills on 26 attempts with nine attacking errors as well. Grace Guerin was very effective in the first set, leading the way with four kills and a block and the Cardinals took the opening set, 25-9.

The final two sets played out very similarly with Catholic winning the second 25-10. The largest margin of victory was the decisive third frame when the Cardinals won it 25-7. Service for the Cardinals was huge in the final set as they tallied seven aces including the match point being decided on an ace from Kate Berra.

Catholic received contributions from up and down the roster in the win, but Guerin led the way in kills with 9 on just 13 attempts (.692). Julia Raab, Laci Freitas, Erin Faughnan and Ava Borcky all also contributed five or more kills individually. Anna Maria Carella led the way in aces with four and also added 14 assists and eight digs. Berra led the way in assists with 16 and also added a pair of aces to the cause. Catholic came away just one ace shy of tying its season-high for this year.

Gaby Hernandez-Ferraiuoli continued her climb up the career digs leaderboard tonight after she finished the match with six digs. Her career total now sits at 1,378 which moves her into the top 10 all-time in program history.

The Cardinals remain at home for the remainder of the week, hosting a tri-match on Saturday, October 19 as they welcome in Rowan and Hood. The first match will be between the Profs and the Cardinals at noon. Catholic will celebrate its senior day prior to its second match of the day against the Blazers.