Volleyball Falls in Four Sets to MSV

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Saturday afternoon at Yarnall Gymnasium.

The Dolphins (5-3 overall) triumphed by set scores of 25-17, 20-25, 25-18 and 25-20. Ashleigh Scozzari led the way with a match-high 13 kills while Morganne Booker added nine. Zana Daluz contributed 27 assists and 10 digs while Allison Regan was a factor from the service stripe all match long and finished with seven aces.

Junior Gloria Charles had six kills to lead the Mariners (2-5 overall). Classmate Nicole Terni added 20 assists while senior Arianna Thomas chipped in with a match-high 23 digs.

Both offenses got off to sluggish starts in the opening set. Mount Saint Vincent trailed 10-9 before rallying behind the serve of both Regan and Jennifer Roman. The Dolphins won seven of the next eight points to go up 16-11 and never looked back. Roman had two aces during the stretch as MSV took the 1-0 lead.

The Mariners battled back in the second set to even up the match. Late in the set, the Mariners saw a four-point lead shrink to one at 21-20 thanks to three consecutive points from the Dolphins. On the ensuing point, Terni got Mitchell back on track with a quick-set attack that resulted in a kill. She then served out for the last three points of the set, including an ace on the final point.

The third set featured long runs and momentum swings as each side had opportunities to seize control. Mount Saint Vincent raced out to an 8-3 lead and looked ready to take over before Thomas stepped up to the service line for Mitchell. She turned a five-point deficit into a six-point lead by serving for 11 straight points, including three aces.

The Mariners later led 18-13 in the third set when the Dolphins went on a streak of their own. Regan served out the rest of the set as MSV ripped off 12 straight points. Scozzari had a pair of kills during the run, but it was Regan's five aces and tough serves that kept the Mariners off balance.

Mitchell came out fired up in the fourth set and took a 5-1 lead behind a combined four kills from Terni, Charles and senior Kendra Erskine. The margin was quickly erased, however, and the scored remained close until Regan came up to serve for her second rotation. With her squad trailing 16-14, Regan served for nine straight points to put the Dolphins in front for good. Scozzari was also a difference in the final set, swinging for seven kills.

Mitchell will next play a doubleheader at Albertus Magnus College on Saturday, September 22 at 1 p.m.