Volleyball Drops GNAC Road Match to Simmons Thursday Night

BOSTON – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team fell on the road to Simmons University, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-12), in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action Thursday night inside the Holmes Sports Center in Boston. With the result, the Blue Jays moved to 4-20 overall and 2-7 in GNAC play, while the Sharks improved to 8-16 overall and 7-4 in the league.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays kept the opening set close early, using kills from graduate outside hitter Emilia Dugas (Newington, Conn.) and graduate right-side hitter Avery Fitzgerald (Milford, Conn.) to trail just 10-8.

• Simmons' offense then caught fire, going on a 10-4 run led by senior outside hitter Hannah Pridgeon to take control and close out the set, 25-17.

• USJ opened the second frame with energy, racing out to a 4-1 lead behind back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Shaye Harris (Bloomfield, Conn.) and one from junior middle blocker Sofia Weiss (Babylon, N.Y.).

• The Sharks countered with an 8-0 run fueled by strong serving to move ahead 9-4 and maintain their edge. Despite late points from Dugas and junior right-side hitter Karla Flores (Oakdale, Conn.), Simmons held on to take the second set, 25-19.

• The hosts continued to roll in the third, jumping out to a 13-5 advantage while hitting .351 in the frame. Weiss and Dugas added late kills, but Simmons finished the sweep, 25-12.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Harris led the Blue Jays with six kills, adding two service aces and six digs.

• Dugas followed with five kills and a team-high nine digs, while Fitzgerald chipped in three kills and a block assist.

• Weiss was efficient in the middle with three kills on 10 swings (.300).

• Sophomore setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.) guided the attack with 16 assists, seven digs, and a block assist.

• Sophomore libero Alyssa Dugas (Newington, Conn.) contributed seven digs and one assist in the back row.

• USJ hit .051 as a team with 22 total kills and three aces. Simmons tallied 42 kills on .248 hitting with 10 aces.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return home to West Hartford for a GNAC tri-match against Elms College and Mitchell College on Saturday, Nov. 1. The tri-match will also serve as Senior Day for USJ. Opening serve against the Blazers inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium is set for 11 a.m.

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