Volleyball Trumps Albertus Magnus 3-0

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College women's volleyball team fell to visiting Mitchell College, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon at The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center.

With the defeat, the Falcons moved to 1-5 overall, while the Mariners picked up their second win of the fall against Albertus to improved to 2-4 on the year. Mitchell won by scores of 25-16, 25-18, 25-23.

In the first game, Mitchell broke open an 8-8 tie with five straight points. During the spurt, the hosts committed five attack errors. Later in the frame, a kill from junior outside hitter Amanda Rowan and an attack error by the Falcons gave the visitors a 21-14 edge. With senior Emily Stracuzzi at the service line, the Mariners scored the final three points of the game to win it 25-16 thanks to a Myia Williams kill and a pair of Albertus attack errors.

In the second stanza, the guests came charging out of the gates and built a 15-4 lead following a kill by Rowan. Albertus battled back to make it a game, getting to within six at 18-12 following an Ana Gomez kill. After trading points, the hosts once again made it a six-point contest at 24-18 courtesy of an ace by Ramona Onofrio. On the ensuing rally, the Mariners took a 2-0 lead as senior middle blocker Breanna Richard recorded a kill.

The two in-state rivals battled back and forth in the third game as there were eight ties and seven lead changes. Albertus built its largest lead of the day at 19-15 following an attack error by the Mariners. Later in the game, an attack error by Mitchell gave the hosts a 22-18 advantage with sights on forcing a fourth frame. An Albertus service error made it a three-point game and gave the Mariners the ball back. A Falcon attack error and a kill from senior Amanda Garcia brought the visitors to within one at 22-21. On the ensuing rally, an attack error by Mitchell gave Albertus a two-point edge at 23-21 and the serve. However, the Falcons were unable to capitalize as a service error gave the ball right back to Mitchell and made it a one-point contest. Mitchell went on to score the final three points of the match thanks to a trio of attack errors by the hosts.

Mitchell had a balanced offensive attack as Garcia, Williams and Rowan all registered five kills each. Senior setter Nicole Caminiti distributed the ball well for the Mariners, racking up a match-high 17 assists. On the defensive end, senior libero Kaisea Caramante had a team-leading 14 digs while Stracuzzi added 10 of her own.

Offensively, the Falcons were led by middle hitter Megan Gritz with eight kills, while outside hitters Amber Cohens and Marielis Muriel added three apiece. Onofrio had another quality game, recording 14 assists and an ace. Defensively, Onofrio had a game-high 20 digs, while Gomez added five of her own and Gritz had a pair of blocks.

Mitchell will next play in a tri-match at Mount Ida College on Saturday, September 26 against Lasell College (11:00 a.m.) and the host Mustangs (1:00 p.m.).