Volleyball Drops a Pair of Matches Saturday

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team fell to Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) and Mount Holyoke College (MHC) during a tri-match at ECSU Saturday afternoon inside Geissler Gymnasium in Willimantic, Conn. The Blue Jays opened the day with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss against the hosts, before falling in straight sets, 3-0, to MHC. With the results, the Blue Jays drop to 0-3 on the year while the Warriors moved to 2-0 and the Lyons began its season 1-0.

ECSU 3, USJ 2 (22-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-11)

• USJ grabbed an early advantage, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after three points from senior middle blocker Victoria Adler (Berlin, Conn.), including back-to-back aces.
• ECSU would claw their way back, tying the opening set at 9-9.
• The Blue Jays gained the lead back, using a three-point run, capped off by a kill from senior outside hitter Shannon Carey (Bayport, N.Y.) to take a 12-9 edge and force a Warriors timeout.
• The two sides continued to trade blows towards the tail end of the opening set, playing out a 21-21 tie, but a 4-1 USJ stretch, featuring three costly ECSU errors, saw the visitors take the opening set, 25-22.
• Set two featured another close start, as USJ gained a narrow 6-4 advantage following a service ace by Carey.
• The Blue Jays continued to add onto their lead, increasing the gap to four, 14-10, after a kill from senior middle blocker Victoria Isokpehi (Lagos, Nigeria).
• ECSU would try and fight back, closing the deficit to two, 17-15, but a 4-0 USJ stretch, paced by two Carey aces, saw USJ take a 21-15 edge.
• The Warriors would not go down easy though, pulling back within two, 22-20, late in the set, but the Blue Jays scored three unanswered, capped off by a senior defensive specialist Katina Nanos (Lebanon, Conn.) service ace, to secure the second set, 25-21, and a 2-0 edge in the match.
• The two teams continued to trade blows in the third set, but ECSU would jump out to an 8-5 lead, forcing USJ to call a timeout.
• The Blue Jays would try and fight back, but ECSU continued to pull away, taking the third set and cutting the gap to 2-1.
• After falling behind early, USJ would use a timely 3-0 stretch, fueled by back-to-back aces by Nanos to level the set at 11-11.
• The Blue Jays would pull ahead, 18-178, after a costly ECSU error, but the hosts would continue to fight back, closing the fourth set on an 8-1 run to tie the match at 2-2.
• ECSU carried its momentum into the deciding set, maintain a lead to complete its comeback and win the match, 3-2.

MHC 3, USJ 0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-16)

• The Lyons jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the opening set forcing USJ to call a timeout.
• The Blue Jays would fight back though, pulling back within four, 12-8, after a kill from freshman outside hitter Shaye Harris (Prospect, Conn.) and costly MHC errors.
• MHC would try and pull away, but USJ would keep themselves in the set, utilizing MHC errors to pull back within three, 23-20. However, MHC would secure the final two points to take the opening set, 25-20.
• The Lyons carried the momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 6-1 edge.
• MHC errors allowed USJ to close the gap in the second set, but a 3-0 stretch saw the Lyons establish a 12-6 edge, forcing the Blue Jays to call a timeout.
• MHC would not allow USJ to get any closer as the Lyons took the second set, 25-13, and a 2-0 lead in the match.
• The Lyons continued to dominate in the third set, holding off the Blue Jays as the Lyons took the third set, 25-16, and the match 3-0.

NOTES 

• With the result, ECSU extended its winning streak to 21 matches, increasing its advantage in the all-time series to 21-2.
• Carey paced the USJ offense against ECSU, tallying 13 kills.
• Senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico), was a force defensively, tallying a team-high 26 digs against the Warriors.
• Sophomore setter Alexandra Long ( East Hartford, Conn.) was an assist machine against ECSU, dishing out 27 assists.
• The Lyons increased its edge in the all-time series, 19-5, with the win.
• Carey continued her strong offensive performance in game two, racking up a team-high eight kills.
• Albert dished out a team-best nine assists while Ayala Rodriguez recorded 11 digs.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to West Hartford for a meeting against local foes Trinity College on Tuesday, September 5. First serve against the Bantams is set for 6:00 p.m. inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium.

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