Volleyball Splits GNAC Tri-Match with Anna Maria and Lasell

NEWTON, Mass.- The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team split a pair of matches at Lasell University (Lasell) during a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match Saturday afternoon inside the Lasell Athletics Center in Newton, Mass. The Blue Jays started the day by defeating Anna Maria College (AMC) 3-0, before falling to the Lasers, 3-0. With the results, the Blue Jays move to 2-14 on the season and 2-5 in GNAC play while the AMCATS move to 2-13 overall and 0-5 in conference play, and the Lasers move to 13-1 overall and 5-0 in GNAC action.

USJ 3, AMC 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-20)

• USJ opened the match strong, jumping out to an 8-2 edge after points from senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico), freshman outside hitter Shaye Harris (Prospect, Conn.) and freshman middle blocker Vivian Pawloski (Wallingford, Conn.)
• AMC put a stop to the run, but USJ quickly responded with a 6-0 stretch, fueled by three Ayala Rodriguez service aces, to establish a 14-3 edge.
• However, the AMCATS would begin to claw their way back into the match, using a 9-2 stretch to cut the gap to four, 16-12.
• USJ would not let AMC get any closer though, ending the first set on a 8-2 stretch, utilizing timely serving from senior outside hitter Shannon Carey (Bayport, N.Y.) to win the first set, 25-15.
• The Blue Jays carried the momentum into the second set, taking a quick 8-2 lead after three service aces from sophomore setter Alexandra Long (East Hartford, Conn.).
• USJ kept their foot on the gas, using another big stretch to increase the lead to double digits, 15-5, after kills from junior outside hitter Rachel Heaney (Torrington, Conn.) and three service aces from Ayala Rodriguez.
• AMC would try and mount a late comeback, but the Blue Jays lead was too much, as USJ won the second set, 25-13, to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
• USJ continued to roll in the third set, opening with an 8-1 lead after kills from Heaney, Carey and freshman middle blocker Sofia Weiss (Babylon, N.Y.).
• The AMCATS fought back though, closing the gap to one, 10-9.
• USJ would not give up the lead though, using a 5-1 stretch, featuring two kills from senior middle blocker Victoria Adler (Berlin, Conn.) to establish a 16-10 lead.
• AMC continued to look for a way back into the match, closing the gap to two, 21-19,  but the AMCATS would commit three costly errors to end the set, giving USJ the victory in the set, 25-19, and the match 3-0.

LASELL 3, USJ 0 (12-25, 24-26, 13-25)

• The first set started as a back-and-forth affair, with the teams playing out a 4-4 draw.
• USJ would take a 8-5 lead after using a 4-1 stretch that was capped off by a Ayala Rodriguez ace, but the Lasers responded wit ha 6-0 stretch to retake the lead, 12-8.
• Lasell would go on to dominate the rest of the opening set, taking the opening stanza, 25-12.
• USJ would gain the lead again to begin the second set, taking a 12-7 edge after kills from Heaney and Adler.
• The Blue Jays continued to add onto the lead, using a 5-1 stretch to extend the gap to eight, 17-9.
• USJ continued to hold the Lasers at bay, as Heaney brought the visitors within set point, 24-20, but a 6-0 Lasell run closed out the set as Lasell escaped with a 26-24 victory to take a 2-0 lead.
• The Lasers carried the momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 9-0 advantage.
• Lasell continued to hold off the Blue Jays for the remainder of the set, winning the final stanza, 25-13, and the match 3-0.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to James A. Calhoun Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup against Fitchburg State on Tuesday, October 3. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.

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