Volleyball Fights Back, Falls in Five Sets at Regis

WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College women's volleyball team won a critical New England Collegiate Conference match-up on Saturday afternoon at Higgins Court, defeating the visiting Mariners of Mitchell College, 3-2 (25-19, 25-20, 24-26, 21-25, 15-11).

The win marks the sixth in a row for the Pride, who improve to 13-16 overall (5-3 NECC) and have earned the right to host an NECC Championship Quarterfinal match next week. Mitchell, which has also qualified for the Championship, falls to 6-15 (3-5 NECC) with the loss.

Prior to the match, the Pride celebrated Senior Day and honored the playing careers of captains Kristen Amicangioli and Megan Pratt. Both players were recognized by being called out to the court with family members, while also being presented with gifts by members of the junior class.

Following the ceremony, Regis won the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-20, before falling in the next two to the Mariners. The Pride were able to claw their way back and come away with the victory by posting a 15-11 score in the final set.

Vanessa Noesi and Marilia Ramos had standout performances to lead Regis. Ramos finished the day with 43 assists, three service aces, 15 digs, and two block assists, while Noesi had a team-high 16 kills on the day. The junior middle hitter also came up huge defensively, recording four solo blocks and three block assists. Sara Gold recorded a team-high 36 digs for the Pride, and Samantha Bliss and Olivia Foley came up big with eight kills and seven kills, respectively. Bliss also had an assist, 10 digs, and a team-high four service aces, while Foley added four digs, one solo block, and one block assist.

Mitchell was led by a career-high 17 kills from senior Arianna Thomas, who also finished with 27 digs. Junior Gloria Charles and freshman Amanda Garcia added 10 and nine kills, respectively, while junior Nicole Terni handed out a season-high 41 assists.

Mitchell is slated to play in the quarterfinals of the NECC Championship on Tuesday, October 30 at a time and place to be determined. The Mariners last appeared in the Championship in 2009.