NEWPORT, R.I. — The Salve Regina University women's volleyball team battled from an early deficit and pushed Connecticut College to the limit Tuesday night at Rodgers Recreation Center, rallying to force a decisive fifth set before ultimately falling 3-2. Despite the result, the Seahawks delivered one of their strongest stretches of the early season, dominating the fourth set and finishing the night with statistical advantages across the board.
Connecticut College claimed the opening set, 25-13, but Salve Regina quickly answered. The Seahawks settled in offensively in the second set, recording nine kills while Connecticut managed just seven and posted a negative hitting percentage. Salve held off the Camels, 25-22, to even the match and shift the momentum.
The Seahawks erupted in the fourth set for 12 kills on just two errors, hitting an outstanding .435 as a team. At the same time, Salve's defense held Connecticut to just five kills and a -.077 hitting percentage. The result was a commanding 25-13 victory, sending the match to a fifth set and giving the Seahawks another opportunity to complete the comeback.
Lauren Shurling (Hudson, Mass.) led Salve's attack with 14 kills, while Jenna DeFrancesco (Branford, Conn.) added 12. Anouk Jansen (Queen Creek, Ariz.) contributed eight kills and three blocks, while Frankie Spadorcia (Braintree, Mass.) was a force at the net with four blocks.
Behind the offense, Sydney Hanlon (Sandwich, Mass.) and Kalena Stavish (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) combined for 33 assists, with Hanlon leading the way with 18. Defensively, Lily Dobbins (Richmond, Ky.) anchored the Seahawks with an impressive 20 digs.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Connecticut College 3, Salve Regina 2
Records: Salve Regina (0-5,0-0 NEWMAC), Connecticut College (1-2,0-0 NESCAC)
NOTEWORTHY:
- Salve finished with 42 kills to Connecticut's 37, while also holding advantages in aces (9-7), blocks (9-8), assists (40-30) and digs (57-50).
- The Seahawks outhit the Camels .108 to .080 for the match.
ON THE HORIZON:
On Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. the Seahawks will host the Emmanuel College Saints at Rodgers Recreation Center.
