Volleyball Falls at Home to Sarah Lawrence Saturday, 3-1

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -  The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team dropped a non-conference match at home to Sarah Lawrence College (SLC), 3-1, Saturday afternoon inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. After USJ won the opening set, SLC bounced back by winning the next three sets to secure to the win. With the result, the Blue Jays moved to 1-8 overall while the Gryphons improved to 6-3 overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ started strong, jumping out to a 7-4 lead after kills from freshman outside hitter Lorynes Suriel (Lynn, Mass.), sophomore outside hitter Karla Flores (Oakdale, Conn.) and senior outside hitter Rachel Heaney (Torrington, Conn.).
• SLC would fire back, as the visitors forced a 15-15 tie later in the set.
• The Gryphons would maintain a slim one-point lead, until Heaney notched a timely winner, establishing a 23-23 tie.
• The two teams would trade points in a thrilling back-and-forth conclusion to the set, but junior outside hitter Tatianah Ziegler (Troy, N.Y.) recorded a service ace to win the set for USJ, 29-27.
• SLC would take control of set two early, not allowing USJ a chance to claw their way back, taking the second set, 25-12, and tying the match at 1-1.
• USJ though did not let the previous deter them in set three, rushing out to a 4-0 lead after a service ace from freshman setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.).
• However, the Gryphons fought back, eventually taking a 12-8 edge.
• USJ would again not go away easily, as a four-point swing, featuring another ace from Wanner and a kill by Heaney, saw the hosts close the gap back to two, 18-16.
• SLC though would not let USJ get any closer, winning the third set, 25-20 to hold a 2-1 lead in the match.
• Set four featured the two teams trading points, playing out a 7-7 deadlock.
• The Gryphons would break open a 15-9 lead, but a 6-0 Blue Jays run, featuring two kills from Heaney and a pair of service aces by freshman defensive specialist Alyssa Dugas (Newington, Conn.) saw the hosts tie the set at 15-15.
• The Blue Jays would stay with the Gryphons, but the visitors closed out the set on a 9-2 run, securing the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1.

NOTES 

• Heaney racked up a team-high 11 kills on the day.
• Wanner continued her impressive week, dishing out 28 assists.
• Senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) was a digs machiene, tallying a team-high 39 digs.
• Ziegler recorded a team-best three service aces.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play by traveling to Elms College on Wednesday, September 25. Opening serve against the Blazers inside Picknelly Arena in Chicopee, Mass., is set for 6:00 p.m.

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