The Hofstra University volleyball team remained undefeated with their intense 3-1 victory over Temple University on Sunday, Sept. 14, moving them to a 7-0 record for the year.
“I think they are seeing, and they are believing that we are good and going to be very, very good,” said Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur. “Let’s just continue to put in the work as a team.”
The Pride’s blocking game was incredible: Hofstra notched a total of 20 blocks on the day. Julia Amorim and Clara Bal were at the forefront of the strong blocking game with 14 and eight blocks, respectively.
Izadora Stedile remained a powerhouse all over the floor. She led the Pride in kills with 24 and added tight defense with 14 digs.
“[Stedile] is huge for us,” Mansur said. “She’s not the tallest, but she has a very big presence. She is a team player. I asked for her to sit this week, and she did. I asked for her to play back row, and she did.”
Beatriz Braga, the team’s captain, contributed a double-double with 13 kills, a service ace and 12 digs. She steps up when the Pride needs her most and leads the team with quiet confidence.
“[Braga] spent the summer [at Hofstra],” Mansur said. “She’s just working and everyone follows her. She’s the captain, and she’s the example.”
Hofstra capitalized through serving, as they posted six service aces through four sets. Freshman Nina Jioshvili-Ravva put up five aces herself. Jioshivili-Ravva also earned her position as the starting setter. Against Temple, she contributed 33 assists while tallying 14 digs.
The first set started the fight between the Owls and the Pride. Hofstra jumped out to an early 7-2 lead. Slowly, the Pride let off the gas, which allowed the Owls to rally back with a 6-0 run. The momentum shifted to Temple and allowed them to battle through extra play and take a 28-26 victory. Despite the loss in the first set, Stedile was red-hot and posted nine kills alone. This set loss also marks the Pride’s first set-one loss all season.
Set one put a fire under the Pride as they won set two with conviction. Hofstra jumped ahead out of the gate, capitalizing on back-to-back attack errors. Hofstra kept rolling and took the second set in a 25-15 victory.
Set three was a nailbiter with 13 ties and four lead changes. Hofstra jumped out to yet another early lead, but Temple battled through a 3-0 run, struck by two consecutive kills by Alyssa Finister. Temple and Hofstra exchanged points with no clear frontrunner throughout the entirety of the set until Stedile secured the set win with two kills.
Hofstra continued to play gritty volleyball throughout the fourth set. Temple looked sharp in the middle of the set, going on a 7-1 scoring run. But the Pride shut down the momentum through a timeout and a 6-0 run of their own, taking the set 25-20 and remaining undefeated.
Hofstra looks to remain perfect heading into their first Coastal Athletic Association match against UNC-Wilmington on Friday, Sept. 19. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
