Army Volleyball Claims First Star of the Season

Army West Point volleyball claimed the first Star up for grabs in the Army-Navy Star Series, presented by USAA, on Friday with a 3-1 victory on the road in Annapolis.

The win not only marks the first Star Series win for Army West Point, but also the first win in Patriot League play for the Black Knights.

Army's rival, Navy, would claim the first set, 25-23, in a back-and-forth battle, but the Black Knights would take control. The Black Knights took the next three sets, defeating Navy 25-20, 24-14 and 25-22 to clinch the Star Match win.

Army started slowly, allowing Navy to build a 4-1 lead off early kills and miscues on the Black Knights' side.

The tide began to turn when Norah Shattan came off the bench and immediately made an impact with a service ace to give Army its first lead of the set at 10-9. From there, the two military academies traded points in a back-and-forth stretch, with neither side leading by more than two.

Chloe Murakami kept Army in the fight with several clutch swings on the outside, while Mackenzie Lynch's steady attacking gave Army options in transition.

Marin Harvey and Michelle Parker combined for two momentum-shifting blocks that electrified the bench.

Army even saved two set points with kills from Murakami and Lynch. However, a late service error proved costly, and Navy escaped with a 25-23 set one win.

Determined to respond, Army came out with energy in set two. A kill from Parker and an ace by Shattan jumpstarted a 5-1 run that set the tone.

Harvey's presence on the right side forced Navy into tight sets, while setter Juliette Myrick spread the offense effectively, feeding Murakami, Lynch, and Bender in rhythm.

The Black Knights' blocking wall was a key difference, as Parker and Harvey stifled Navy's attackers, forcing them into errors.

Nicole Stroud added a critical ace midway through the frame that stretched the lead to 15-10. Murakami then went on a tear with back-to-back kills on the left pin, giving Army breathing room.

Navy tried to rally late, but Army kept its composure, closing out the set 25-20 after a hitting error. The Black Knights tied the match 1-1 and carried momentum into the third.

The third set was all Army. Naomi Chinchar opened with a service ace, and Lynch followed with a kill and a later service to spark an 8-1 start.

Murakami and Parker kept the pressure on, while Myrick's distribution kept Navy guessing. Lynch's aggressive serving added another ace and forced a string of shaky Navy passes that Army converted into points.

The Black Knights dominated the net, with Harvey and Parker stuffing multiple swings from Navy's outside hitters, and Army's lead ballooned to 20-10.

Navy never recovered, with Shattan chipping in an ace as Murakami finished the frame with a powerful kill from Myrick to lock up a commanding 25-14 victory. Army led 2-1 in the match and looked firmly in control.

The Midshipmen fought hard to extend the match, but Army stayed poised in the fourth set. Murakami delivered two early kills, and Parker hammered home a quick middle set to establish a 10-7 advantage.

Navy pushed back late, taking a 19-18 lead, but Army responded.

Lynch ripped a cross-court kill to swing momentum, then added a well-placed ace to make it 21-19. Shattan added another ace late to help Army close in on match point.

Fittingly, Murakami, who had been a go-to option all night, put the exclamation point on the rivalry win with her final kill. Army sealed the set 25-22, taking the match 3-1.