Volleyball Tripped Up by SVC

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Southern Vermont College rallied back from a first-set loss to post a 3-1 victory at Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon in a New England Collegiate Conference women's volleyball showdown at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mountaineers (6-12 overall, 2-3 NECC) dropped the opening set 25-21 but responded by winning the next three by scores of 25-19, 25-12 and 25-9. Jessica Delgado and Brin Goldman each finished with 11 kills to lead the way while Alexandra Sinicropi added nine. Sheilani Kaleopa handed out a match-high 28 assists to go along with six kills and 13 digs.

Mitchell junior Amanda Garcia led all players with 12 kills and added a pair of blocks. Classmate Nicole Caminiti finished with 22 assists and 13 digs while Kaisea Caramante produced a match-high 20 digs.

Southern Vermont was plagued by attack errors in the first set, amassing nine of its 19 in the stanza. Still, the Mountaineers led 17-13 before Mitchell fought its way back to tie the score at 19-19. The Mariners then won six of the next eight points to take the set, with freshman Myia Williams contributing a pair of kills during the stretch. Garcia came through with the final two points for Mitchell, recording a kill and a solo block to seal the win.

The Mountaineers bounced back in the second set thanks to the efforts of Sinicropi and Goldman, who finished with four kills apiece in the stanza. With the score tied at 17-17, the Mountaineers vaulted in front behind kills by Delgado and Goldman and never looked back. 

SVC trailed 10-8 in the third set before ripping off a 17-2 run to seize control of the match. Kaleopa got things started with a kill and then served for six straight points, forcing Mitchell to call a timeout to regroup. Delgado and Goldman later served for four points each as the Mountaineers took a 2-1 lead in the contest.

Mitchell fell behind 7-0 in the fourth set and never recovered. Kaleopa put the finishing touches on the win by serving for aces on the final two points. Southern Vermont finished with a 15-4 advantage in aces for the match with Sinicropi, Goldman and Kaleopa recording four apiece.  

Mitchell will next host Bay Path College on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Southern Vermont returns to action at Bard College on Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m.