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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - The College of Saint Rose opened its season by sweeping a pair of matches at Mercy. The Golden Knights commenced their campaign with 3-0 defeats of Nyack (25-20, 25-15, 25-20) and the host Mavericks (25-23, 25-15, 25-18).

Senior outside hitter Stevie Schweitzer led the victors with a combined 25 kills on .225 hitting. Senior libero Tina Ceriello recorded 37 digs, helping Saint Rose hold its opponents to an .054 hitting percentage.

"Both of tonight's win were full team efforts," said Saint Rose Head Coach Vanessa Volpe Rivera. "Everyone was able to to contribute. Our defense picked up alot and we were able to execute our game plan."

The Golden Knights never trailed in the first set vs. Nyack, getting out to 5-1 and 15-6 advantages. Nyack rallied to cut its deficit to 19-16, before Saint Rose wrapped it up. Schweitzer and junior middle hitter Victoria Fogg each registered a pair of kills down the stretch. Schweitzer tallied eight of her match-high 14 kills in the opening set.

After holding the Warriors to .026 hitting to take the second set, Saint Rose erased a 19-15 third set deficit to complete the sweep. The Golden Knights, which closed the match on a 10-1 run, limited Nyack to .101 hitting on the day.

Schweitzer totaled 11 digs for a "double-double", while junior middle hitter Kyla Archie added eight kills on .385 hitting. Freshman setter Valeria Jorge dished out 22 assists, while Ceriello registered 17 digs.

Nyack (0-2) received a "double-double" of 24 assists and 13 digs from junior setter Rachel Medin. Junior middle hitter Kyra Zuhlke topped the Warriors with seven kills.

The Black and Gold finished strong to take an opening set battle with Mercy. Deadlocked at 20, Saint Rose reeled off three-straight points to gain momentum. When the hosts responded to tie things at 23, the Golden Knights didn't fold. Kills from Fogg and freshman outside hitter Ele'sia Williams sealed it.

Saint Rose capitalized upon a 9-3 lead and .324 hitting en route to taking the second set. The Golden Knights raced out to an 11-4 third set advantage to complete the sweep.

Schweitzer topped all participants with 11 kills in the win. Fogg added nine, while Jorge recorded her first collegiate "double-double" 19 assists and ten digs. Freshman setter Allison Sellers distributed 14 helpers.

Ceriello recorded 20 digs as Saint Rose held the Mavericks to just .008 hitting for the match.

Senior outside hitter Imani DeBose led Mercy (1-1), picked fourth in the East Coast Conference preseason poll, with seven kills. Junior setter Natasha Garcia handed out 18 assists, while junior libero Adriana Lopez-Soto elevated 13 Saint Rose attacks.
 
The Golden Knights (2-0) are back in action tomorrow afternoon with a pair of matches at Molloy. Saint Rose will face the host Lions at noon and Wilmington at 2:00 pm. Mercy and Nyack also have a pair of matches tomorrow. Nyack travels to Queens College to take on Le Moyne and the host Knights, while Mercy entertains Post University and Franklin Pierce. Notes: Saint Rose was picked to finish ninth in the Northeast-10 Conference preseason coaches' poll...Ceriello averaged 6.17 digs per set in the pair of sweeps...Ceriello and Jorge aced three serves apiece. Sign up for our E-Newsletter for the latest news by clicking here, and for information on the Golden Knights Club, click here. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.