Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Affair at Anna Maria

PAXTON, Mass. - The Mitchell College women's volleyball team dropped a 3-2 non-conference match-up at Anna Maria College on Monday night.

The Mariners took the first set 25-15 but dropped the next two by finals of 25-23 and 25-20. Mitchell then roared back for a 25-12 win in the fourth set but lost 15-8 in the deciding fifth set.

Mitchell (4-13 overall) was led by sophomore Shayna Diggs with 12 kills while senior Stephanie McKeon finished with 10. Senior Jen Bordonaro recorded 22 assists and 14 digs while sophomore Samantha Alevras-Tarbell contributed a team-high 19 digs.

Anna Maria's Alicia Bonneau set the school single match assists record with 30 assists, surpassing her own previous record of 26 set in 2009. Nichole Robbie chipped in with 13 kills and a game-high 17 digs for the AMCATS (7-17 overall) while Sandy Acosta led all players with 16 kills. 

Anna Maria dropped the initial set by a score of 25-15. Mitchell jumped out to an early 10-3 lead by taking advantage of several AMCAT miscues and cruised to the victory.  Diggs, sophomore Akesia Bernard and McKeon each had two kills for the visitors in the frame.

In the second set, the AMCATS held a late 18-13 lead before a 5-0 run by the Mariners erased the lead and evened the score at 18-18. Despite the late charge, Anna Maria used two kills by Acosta and a Melissa Stedman service ace to seal the 25-23 victory.  Acosta finished the set with five kills, while Robbie also chipped in with two aces and a kill. McKeon led the comeback attempt for Mitchell with four kills of her own.

The third frame was a close battle, as neither team held a lead larger than four points.  Holding a 22-18 advantage, Anna Maria received kills from Fabienne Jules, Heather Wheeler and Robbie to wrap up the 25-20 victory. Bonneau was all over the court, as she added eight assists in the set, while Bordonaro added three kills for Mitchell.

With the match on the line, the Mariners refused to go quietly, forcing a deciding game with a commanding 25-12 victory in the fourth set. Diggs recorded three kills in the game while McKeon added two kills and two service aces.

In the final game to 15, the two teams battled to a 5-5 start. The AMCATS then used a 10-3 run en-route to the 15-8 game and match victory. Acosta and Robbie each added two kills while the latter also added a pivotal ace during the late run.

Mitchell will next host Eastern Connecticut State University on Wednesday, October 20 at 7 p.m.