Volleyball Earns First NECC Victory on Senior Day

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's volleyball team celebrated "Senior Day" by earning its first conference victory of the season, 3-0, over Elms College on Saturday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Mitchell (5-14 overall, 1-4 NECC) won in straight sets by scores of 25-22, 25-23 and 25-19. The Mariners were led by senior Stephanie McKeon, who finished with a match-high 11 kills while adding five digs and two aces. Classmate Jen Bordonaro, who along with McKeon was honored prior to the contest, recorded a match-high 17 assists and had three aces.

Elms (6-17 overall, 2-3 NECC) was led by Christina Martin and Laura Kulig, who finished with eight and seven kills, respectively. Ashley Fuller added 15 assists while Melissa Clark contributed a team-high 10 digs.

The Mariners jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set, but the Blazers bounced back and took their first lead of the day at 14-13 behind the serve of Jenn Rego. The score remained close until Bordonaro stepped up to the service stripe with the set knotted at 21-21. She served for three straight points—including a pair of aces—to propel Mitchell to the 25-22 win.

In the second set, the Mariners held an 18-14 lead before winning four straight points off the serve of junior Marie Connelly. Trailing 22-14, Elms sided out and proceeded to climb back into the set by winning eight of the next nine points to tie things up at 23-23. However, a pair of errors cost the Blazers the final two points and dropped them into a 2-0 hole.

Mitchell took advantage of the momentum shift and closed the door in the third set. Junior Brittany Zaccaria served for four of her match-high five aces during the stanza while sophomore Samantha Alevras-Tarbell chipped in with a pair. The Mariners finished the match with a 13-4 edge in service aces.

Mitchell will next host Connecticut College on Wednesday, October 27 at 7 p.m.