Ayala Rodriguez Records 1,000th Career Dig, Blue Jays Fall to JWU and Simmons Saturday

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) recorded her 1,000th career dig as the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team dropped a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match at home against Johnson & Wales University (JWU) and Simmons University (Simmons) Saturday afternoon inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. The Blue Jays fell to both the Wildcats and the Sharks by 3-0 scores. With the results, the Blue Jays dropped to 2-20 overall and 2-10 in the GNAC, while JWU, who defeated Simmons in the middle match, improved to 17-11 overall and 11-2 in conference play, while Simmons moved to 10-13 overall and 8-3 in the GNAC.

JWU 3, USJ 0 (25-5, 25-10, 25-16)

• The Wildcats controlled the opening set from start to finish, winning 25-5.
• JWU carried the momentum into set two, winning 25-10 to take a 2-0 edge in the match.
• The visitors again established an early advantage, taking a 21-8 edge.
• The Blue Jays utilized a 5-0 run, featuring three service aces from Ayala Rodriguez, to close the deficit to 21-13, but the Wildcats would hold off the Blue Jays, winning the set, 25-16, and the match, 3-0.
• Senior outside hitter Rachel Heaney (Torrington, Conn.) tallied a team-best three kills.
• Ayala Rodriguez tallied 14 digs and recorded four service aces.
• Freshman setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.) dished out eight assists.

SIMMONS 3, USJ 0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-23)

• The Sharks dominated the opening set, winning 25-10.
• During the first set, Ayala Rodriguez would make history, tallying her 1,000th career dig after notching her fourth of the set.
• Simmons would hold a slim 10-8 edge to start the second, set, but three consecutive errors swung the lead to USJ's favor, 11-10.
• The two teams would battle back-and-forth, as a kill by Heaney knotted the set at 17-17.
• However, Simmons would keep USJ at bay, taking the second set, 25-21, and a 2-1 lead in the match.
• USJ would take the lead in set three, 5-3, after a winner by freshman outside hitter Lorynes Suriel (Lynn, Mass.).
• The Sharks would battle back though, regaining the lead before breaking open a six-point gap, 20-14.
• USJ would not go away though, battling back within two, 22-20, after a 4-0 run was sparked by back-to-back service aces by freshman outside hitter Ericka Pryz (Amityville, N.Y.).
• However, Simmons would hold on, escaping with the set, 25-23, and winning the match, 3-0.
• Sophomore outside hitter Shaye Harris (Prospect, Conn.) tallied a team-best nine kills.
• Wanner dished out 14 assists.
• Ayala Rodriguez recorded 16 digs.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to James A. Calhoun Gymansium for their final home match of the 2024 campaign, hosting intrastate rival Albertus Magnus College on Tuesday, November 5. The match against the Falcons will also serve as Senior Day for USJ. Opening serve is set for 6:00 p.m.

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