Volleyball Splits Tri-Match with Salem State and MCLA

SALEM, Mass. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's volleyball team split a non-conference tri-match on the road on Saturday with the MCLA Trailblazers and the Salem State Vikings at Twohig Gymnasium. The Blue Jays defeated the Trailblazers in four sets, 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 19-25, 25-15), in their opener before falling to the host Vikings in four sets, 3-1 (25-27, 25-21, 17-25, 14-25), in the finale to move to 5-6 overall on the season. The USJ volleyball team will return to the court next on Thursday at home versus Becker beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Freshman Nina Lestrud (Torrington, Conn.) powered the Blue Jays to the split with a career day for USJ. The rookie totaled 17 kills on the day including a career-high nine in the victory over MCLA. She also tallied a pair of solo blocks to go with four block assists and added five service aces over the two matches. Senior Torrie Epps (Windsor, Conn.) also had a big day for Saint Joseph racking up 17 kills and hitting a team-high .289, while sophomore Aminah Tsonga (Plainville, Conn.) also posted 17 kills and chipped in defensively with 23 digs. Tsonga registered her first career double-double with USJ against Salem State finishing with 10 kills and 13 digs.

Senior setter Brenna Miller (McCleary, Wash) facilitated the offense and logged 59 assists including her third 30-plus assist match of the season finishing with 30 helpers in the nightcap against the Vikings. She notched a double-double in the opener against the Trailblazers with 29 assists and 12 digs in the 3-1 win. Classmate Janell Molina (Honolulu, Hawaii) fueled the defensive effort for USJ with a pair of 20-plus dig efforts posting 21 against MCLA followed by 24 versus Salem State and also fired nine service aces on the day.

Game 1 - USJ 3, MCLA 1

Game 2 - USJ 1, Salem State 3

More information soon to follow...

Up Next
The USJ women's volleyball team returns to action next on Thursday night at home versus Becker College. First serve between the Blue Jays and the Hawks inside the O'Connell Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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