Volleyball Falls Short in Comeback vs. UMass Dartmouth

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The UMass Dartmouth women's volleyball team fought off a furious comeback from Mitchell College on Wednesday night to post a 3-2 win (25-20, 25-13, 22-25, 20-25, 18-16) in non-conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Corsairs (6-8 overall) won the first two sets but dropped the next two, and in the final stanza they found themselves facing match point before rallying for three straight points and the victory. Shannon Orton and Eliza Bowes each finished with 12 kills to lead all players, and Christina Spinazola recorded 29 assists and 12 digs.

The Mariners (2-8 overall) were led by Amanda Garcia and Myia Williams, who each recorded nine kills. Nicole Caminiti added 28 assists while Kaisea Caramante tallied a match-high 31 digs.

UMass Dartmouth seized control early in the first set after Carina Filosa served for five straight points en route to a 6-2 lead. The Corsairs never let the lead go as Orton set the pace with six kills in the set.

Spinazola served for a pair of aces in the early stages of the second set as the Corsairs jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Bowes recorded four of her team's seven kills in the set as the Mariners fell behind by double digits and never recovered.

Momentum finally shifted Mitchell's way in the third set. The Mariners trailed by a point when Italia Krick stepped up to the service stripe, but after five straight points they led 22-19. Back-to-back kills by Amanda Rowan and Garcia put Mitchell at set point, though UMass Dartmouth fought back with three straight points before losing the set. 

Mitchell used a balanced attack to win the fourth set, with Garcia delivering the kill on set point to tie the match at 2-2. In the final set, each side fought off match points before Cara Butcher came through with a game-winning spike for the Corsairs. 

UMass Dartmouth held a 19-8 advantage in service aces in the contest. Spinazola recorded a match-high seven aces while Bowes added six. Caminiti led the Mariners with three aces while Krick and Caramante each chipped in with two.

Mitchell will next play a tri-match at the College of New Rochelle on Saturday, September 27 at 11 a.m. UMass Dartmouth returns to action at Plymouth State University on Saturday at 3 p.m.