Volleyball Falls Short vs. Albertus Magnus

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Albertus Magnus College earned a 3-0 victory over Mitchell College in non-conference women's volleyball action on Tuesday night at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Falcons (11-11 overall) won by set scores of 25-18, 25-13 and 25-23 to snap a four-game losing skid. Kimberly Keller and Genesis Cora Luquis paved the way with 10 kills each, and the latter also added 11 digs to finish with a double-double. Nicole Beard handed out 28 assists to pace the offense while adding a team-high 14 digs on the defensive side.

Ariana Carter had a career-high seven kills and three blocks to lead Mitchell. Courtney Cappabianca chipped in with a match-high 15 digs and Lauren Tompkins contributed 10 assists.

The opening set was tied at 6-6 before the Falcons took control behind a 5-0 run that featured kills by Luquis and Keller. Albertus Magnus led by as many as seven before Mitchell whittled the deficit down to three at 20-17 following a kill by Carter. However, the Falcons won five of the next six points and clinched the set on another kill by Luquis, who had three in the final stretch alone.

Albertus Magnus never trailed in the second set and broke things open behind a 13-3 run midway through the stanza. Keller contributed half of her team's 14 kills in the set as the Falcons grabbed the 2-0 lead.

Mitchell fought back from a 12-7 deficit in the final set to make things interesting. With a raucous crowd behind them, the Mariners rallied for six straight points to vault into the lead. Carter and Italia Krick each provided kills during the run while Marissa Sweeney supplied the go-ahead point with a service ace.

Following a quick timeout, Albertus Magnus righted the ship and won the next five points to pull back in front. Mitchell chipped away at the deficit and eventually tied the game at 22-22 on a kill by Sweeney, but in the end the Falcons got kills from Luquis and Jesselle Guzman to close out the match.

Mitchell (0-13 overall) will next play at Connecticut College on Wednesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Albertus Magnus returns to action at the College of Staten Island on Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m.