Volleyball Splits Tri-Match, Earns First Win of 2012

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's volleyball team split a pair of non-conference matches against Pine Manor College and Albertus Magnus College on Saturday afternoon.

The Mariners (1-4 overall) picked up their first win of the season by a 3-1 final against Pine Manor (0-3 overall) in the first match of the day. Mitchell then lost to Albertus Magnus (3-2 overall) by a 3-1 tally in the final match of the day. In between, Albertus Magnus blanked Pine Manor 3-0.

Match #1 – Mitchell 3, Pine Manor 1 (25-12, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18)

Freshman Amanda Garcia finished with a match-high 11 kills to lead the Mariners while junior Nicole Terni handed out 24 assists. Destiny Mann paced the Gators with eight kills while Michelle Cole added a match-high 16 digs.

Mitchell fell behind 3-0 in the first set but quickly rallied back to tie things at 6-6. Sophomore Jaclyn Tempkins then served for four straight points to give the Mariners a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Garcia later widened the margin by serving for four more points—including a pair of aces—as Mitchell went ahead 16-8 and held on to take the first set.

The Mariners built an 8-4 lead in the second set with the help of three early aces from senior Arianna Thomas and never trailed the rest of the way. Pine Manor battled back in the third set, however, as Mann recorded four the team's eight kills in the 25-19 decision.

Mitchell regained its composure for the fourth set and snapped a 5-5 tie thanks to kills by junior Shayna Diggs and Garcia. The Mariners never trailed again in the match and later sealed the victory behind an ace from Garcia, her fourth of the contest. As a team, Mitchell posted a season-high 15 service aces in the match.

Match #2 – Albertus Magnus 3, Pine Manor 0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-10)

Kelsey Pendagast led all players with 12 kills and added three solo blocks to push the Falcons past Pine Manor in straight sets. Jenna Dececchi and Maritza Rosemond combined for 20 assists, and Albertus Magnus finished with a commanding 20-2 advantage in service aces for the match.

Pine Manor's only lead in the contest came after the first rally when Mann hammered down a kill off a pass from Alie Johnston. Albertus Magnus responded by winning 12 of the next 15 points to seize momentum, with Alyssa Puccilli capping the run with three straight aces. The Falcons closed out the set by winning 11 of the final 13 points.

A kill by Nicole Acerra and three consecutive aces by Dececchi gave Albertus Magnus an early 4-0 lead in the second set. The Falcons never and finished with eight service aces in the 25-16 decision.

Albertus Magnus closed out the match with a commanding third set performance. The Falcons raced out to a 16-2 lead and finished with a total of 10 kills and four aces. Pendagast recorded four kills in the final frame to lead her team to the victory.

Mann, Cole and Phalogne Pierre each recorded four kills to lead the Gators offense. Johnston also contributed 12 assists and seven digs.

Match #3 – Albertus Magnus 3, Mitchell 1 (25-23, 16-25, 25-17, 28-18)

Acerra and Pendagast combined for 15 kills in the day's final match to lead Albertus Magnus to its second win. Pendagast also contributed three total blocks (two solos, two assists) while Acerra chipped in with 19 digs.

Mitchell led 23-20 in the opening set before Albertus Magnus scored five straight points to steal it away. The Falcons got the first two points off Mitchell miscues before tying it up at 23-23 on a kill by Acerra. Pendagast then closed out the set with a pair of kills to complete the rally.

The Mariners recovered to even the match with a 25-16 victory in the second set. Junior Gloria Charles had four of her eight kills in the stanza while Garcia and Thomas added three apiece.

Krista LaBissoniere served the Falcons to the first six points of the third set en route to a 25-17 decision. Acerra also contributed five of her eight kills during the stanza to keep Albertus Magnus in front.

The fourth set was tied at 11-11 before the Falcons rattled off four straight points, once again behind the serve of LaBissoniere. Acerra and Pendagast each had a kill during the stretch while LaBissoniere added an ace, and Albertus Magnus never trailed again in the match.

Diggs finished with a team-high nine kills while Terni chipped in with 25 assists and 15 digs. Thomas also contributed a match-high 25 digs on the defensive end for the Mariners.

Mitchell will next play at the University of Saint Joseph (CT) on Wednesday, September 12 at 7 p.m.