Volleyball Drops Season Opener to ECSU
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Eastern Connecticut State University women's volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 victory over Mitchell College on Friday night at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
The Warriors (1-0 overall) won by set scores of 25-19, 25-14 and 25-8. Alaetra Long posted a match-high 12 kills while Abby Stern added seven. Leah Sopneski handed out a match-high 15 assists and Michelle Valliere added 10 digs.
Mitchell (0-1 overall) was paced by seven kills from Marissa Sweeney in her collegiate debut. Courtney Cappabianca led all players with 13 digs while Ariana Carter finished with two kills and a pair of blocks.
The first set was the closest of the night, with Mitchell winning the opening point courtesy of a kill by Myia Williams. Eastern quickly pulled in front and took its biggest lead at 15-8 thanks to 7-0 run on the serve of Jackie Orlowski. The Mariners got as close as 20-16 following a block by Carter, but the Warriors closed out the set with kills by Lauren Notholt and Carly Balskus to take the 1-0 lead.
Eastern jumped out to a 15-3 lead in the second set to take control of the match. Long tallied eight of her team's 13 kills in the stanza while Stern contributed three.
The Warriors recorded 20 of the first 23 points in the third set to close things out. Mckenzie Maneggia served for nine straight points to help open up the margin, and a kill by Balskus later provided match point.
Mitchell will next host Nichols College on Wednesday, September 6 at 7 p.m. Eastern returns to action at home against Lesley University and Dean College on Saturday, September 2 at 12 and 4 p.m.