Volleyball Splits on Opening Day

QUINCY, Mass. - The Mitchell College women's volleyball team opened the 2016 season with a tri-match split at Eastern Nazarene College on Saturday afternoon. 

The Mariners began the day with a 3-2 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy, earning their first win of the season by virtue of set scores of 17-25, 25-17, 25-17, 24-26 and 15-5. Mitchell then lost 3-0 (19-25, 19-25, 14-25) to host ENC to wrap up the day.

Amanda Rowan finished with a match-high 12 kills to lead Mitchell over MMA. Janelle Rice added nine kills in her first action back on the court after missing all of last season due to injury, and Myia Williams tacked on seven to contribute to the attack. Colby Zitoli was one of four Mariners with double-digit digs in the contest and led all players with 26.

Mitchell trailed 5-2 in the deciding set before reeling off 13 straight points to seal the win. Rice served for the final 12 points and dropped in four of her match-high eight aces during the span. Rowan had three kills in the stanza while Megan Elphick added two, including the final spike to wrap up the match.

In the ensuing match against ENC, Rice paced the Mariners with six kills and added five aces. Zitoli posted a match-high 17 digs while Rice (11) and Rowan (10) also finished in double figures in the category.

Mitchell will next play at Albertus Magnus College on Thursday, September  8 at 6 p.m.