Volleyball Drops GNAC Opener at Home to New England College

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team dropped its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener at home against conference newcomers New England College (NEC), 3-0, Saturday afternoon inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. Prior to the game, the USJ department of athletics held a special ceremony to honor the 25th anniversary of the 1998 GNAC Championship women's volleyball team. With the result, the Blue Jays drop to 0-10 on the season and 0-1 in GNAC play while the Pilgrims move to 6-3 and 1-0 in conference play.

KEY MOMENTS 

• NEC jumped out of the gates strong, opening a 9-3 edge to begin the first set.
• USJ would fight back, utilizing a 4-1 stretch, capped off by kills from freshman outside hitter Shaye Harris (Prospect, Conn.) and senior middle blocker Victoria Adler (Berlin, Conn.) to pull back within three, 10-7.
• However, the Pilgrims responded with a 6-2 stretch to reestablish a seven-point gap, 16-9.
• The visitors continued to pull away, taking the opening set, 25-13.
• The Blue Jays responded with an incredible start to the second set, jumping out to a 8-2 lead after gaining points from senior outside hitter Shannon Carey (Bayport, N.Y.), senior middle blocker Victoria Isokpehi (Lagos, Nigeria) and service aces from Harris and Adler.
• NEC would not go down easy though, battling back with three 11-8, after a timely 5-0 stretch.
• The two sides continued to trade points until a Harris kill reopened a five-point USJ advantage, 17-12.
• The Pilgrims would not go away, fighting back to tie the match at 18-18 before going on to complete the comeback and take the second set, 25-22.
• USJ and NEC battled to start the third set, playing out a 4-4 tie after Carey notched two kills to kickstart the set.
• The two teams traded points until the Pilgrims gained a five-point lead, 14-9, following a 4-0 swing.
• USJ continued to fight back, utilizing a 4-1 stretch, to get back within two, 15-13.
• However, USJ would not get any closer as the Pilgrims kept the Blue Jays at bay, winning the third set, 25-20, and the match, 3-0.

NOTES 

• Carey paced the USJ offense with 12 kills.
• Sophomore setter Alexandra Long (East Hartford, Conn.) dished out a match-high 22 assists.
• The tally marks the second time this season she has reached 20 or more assists.
• Senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) paced the defense with eight digs.
• Adler and Isokpehi were forced out the net, securing three blocks each.
• The Pilgrims narrowly outhit the Blue Jays, .178 percent to .109 percent.
• With the result the Pilgrims increased their edge in the all-time series to 2-0.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays remain at home to continue Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play against Norwich on Tuesday, September 19. First serve against the Cadets is set for 6:00 p.m. inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium.

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