Volleyball Falls at Home to Western Connecticut

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team battled, but fell at home to intrastate foes Western Connecticut State University (WCSU), 3-0, during non-conference play Wednesday night inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. With the result, the Blue Jays move to 1-12 overall while the Wolves move to 10-6 overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Wolves jumped out to an early lead in the opening set, holding a 7-3 edge.
• USJ fought back though, tying the set at 12-12 after a 4-0 run that featured two kills from sophomore outside hitter Shaye Harris (Prospect, Conn.)
• The two teams would trade points, as back-to-back kills from Harris saw the Blue Jays narrowly trail, 20-19.
• However, WCSU would score five of the next seven points, winning the opening set, 25-21.
• Set two saw USJ and WCSU battle to an 8-8 deadlock after a winner from junior outside hitter Bernae Webb (Bridgeport, Conn.)
• The Wolves responded though with a 10-3 scoring run, breaking open a 20-12 advantage.
• USJ would fight back within five, 23-18, after an ace by freshman defensive specialist Alyssa Dugas (Newington, Conn.), but the Wolves would hold off the Blue Jays, taking the set, 25-20, and extending its lead in the match to 2-0.
• The Blue Jays would gain an early edge in set three, holding a 10-7 lead after kills from freshman outside hitter Lorynes Suriel (Lynn, Mass.), sophomore middle blocker Vivian Pawloski (Wallingford, Conn.) and junior outside hitter Tatianah Ziegler (Troy, N.Y.).
• The Wolves would change the momentum though, gaining a 19-12 advantage in the set.
• The run proved too much for USJ to overcome, as WCSU secured the set, 25-17, and the match, 3-0.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Harris notched a double-double, recording a team-high 12 kills and 10 digs.
• Senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) tallied a team-best 21 digs on the night.
• Freshman setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.) dished out a team-high 20 assists.
• The Wolves outhit the Blue Jays, 20.7% to 3.4%.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays remain at home, hosting a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match featuring Anna Maria College and Regis College on Saturday, October 5. USJ will first meet the AMCATS on the court at 11:00 a.m., followed by a match against the Pride at approximately 3:00 p.m.

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