Oct. 28, 2012

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

All seven Siena seniors saw action in a 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, and 25-22) sweep of Saint Peter's in the final home match of the season. The Saints improved to 17-10 overall and 11-4 in the MAAC with their eighth straight home victory.

By virtue of the win, and Manhattan's loss at Marist, and Loyola's loss to Canisius, Siena secured one of the four spots in the MAAC Championships Nov. 17-18 in Fairfield, Conn.

Senior Arielle Smith got a spot start, and she made the most of it right away. Smith served Siena to a 10-0 lead in the first set, and Siena scored 14 points in the initial set behind her floating serve.

Smith finished with five service aces - equaling a career best.

Seniors Amanda Sawlsville and Jasmine Brown also got a chance, and both played well. Sawlsville killed all four of her attacks, while Brown finished six of her 13 swings.

Elizabeth Ives served Siena to a couple key points late in the second set, and regular startering seniors Colleen Ahearn, Sarah Sivertson and Lesli Akeo each played their typically solid match.

Ahearn killed 10 of 17 attacks, Akeo had 13 digs, and Sivertson may have been the star with 31 assists, 10 digs and four kills.

Taylor Akana led the Saints with 11 kills. She was inserted into the second set for the first time when it was tied 23-23, and quickly hammered down a kill and then served Siena to victory.

Saint Peter's (1-28, 0-15) hung tough after the lopsided first set. Lauren Behrens led all players with 13 kills, Kassi Wirth had 10 kills in 17 attacks, and libero Jenny Pliska led all players with 15 digs, but struggled with Siena's aggressive serving, posting five reception errors.

Siena closes the regular-season with road matches at Marist, Rider and Loyola.