Newbury Pulls Out 3-1 Win Over Volleyball

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's volleyball team lost a 3-1 final in a NECC match-up against Newbury College on Thursday evening at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The match was close throughout, with Newbury (11-13 overall, 3-1 NECC) winning by set scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-21. Lauren Watson led the Nighthawks with a match-high 15 kills, one of three players with double-digit kills on the night for the visitors. Regina Sibilia handed out 37 assists to fuel the offense and also recorded a double-double with 10 digs.

Freshman Emily Stracuzzi led the Mariners (5-6 overall, 0-4 NECC) with eight kills while sophomore Gloria Charles added six kills and a team-high 15 digs. Senior Marie Connelly chipped in with 18 assists and 13 digs.

Mitchell led 14-7 in the first set and looked to be in control before the Nighthawks rallied back with an 8-0 run behind the play of Sydney Fish. She started the stretch with a kill and then served for seven straight points, the last of which came on an ace and gave Newbury its first lead of the set at 15-14.

The lead changed hands twice more before Newbury hung on to take the set. Mitchell errors accounted for four of the Nighthawks' final five points.

Mitchell bounced back to win the second set and even the match at 1-1. After Fish staked Newbury to a 14-10 lead with six straight service points, the Mariners vaulted back into the lead behind the serve of Connelly. Mitchell reeled off five straight points that included a pair of service aces, two kills by freshman Jaclyn Tempkins and another by Charles to take a 17-15 lead.

The score was tied at 23-23 with Fish again at the stripe, but the Mariners sided out behind a kill from freshman Alivia Royal. Mitchell then took the set on the ensuing serve thanks to a kill by Connelly.

Mitchell got out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the third set, but Newbury answered right back with seven straight points to grab the lead. Tricia Corriveau kept the Mariners off balance with a strong serve during the stretch while Watson provided a pair of kills.

The set featured eight ties and five lead changes, with Newbury taking the lead for good at 17-16 on a Mitchell service error. Sibilia then nearly served out for the match, staking the Nighthawks to a 24-16 lead before the Mariners sided out. The eight-point run featured a pair of service aces and three more kills from Watson, who finished with five in the set.

Newbury finished with 14 kills and five service aces in the fourth set to seal the victory. Watson and Fish each recorded four kills apiece in the stanza to lead the way. Fish finished with 12 kills and four aces in the match while Jessy Touron added 10 kills and 12 digs.

Mitchell will play its final regular season home game against Lesley University on Saturday, October 15 at 5 p.m.