Volleyball Falls 3-1 to ECSU

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College dropped a 3-1 decision to Eastern Connecticut State University on Wednesday night in non-conference women's volleyball action.

The Warriors won by set scores of 25-19, 25-15, 23-25 and 25-5 to improve to 7-1 overall. Anna Barry posted a match-high 13 kills while Nayeli Cruz Martinez added 11. Meg Verizzi handed out 46 assists and recorded 13 digs as Eastern hit .283 as a team.

Olivia DeLoach paced Mitchell with nine kills and a match-high 17 digs. 

Eastern began the match with three straight points and never trailed in the opening set. The Warriors led by as many as seven but saw the margin shrink to 16-15. However, Abby Stern spurred a 4-1 rally with three kills and a block assist, and the guests closed strong to go up 1-0 in the match. 

After a tight start to the second set, Eastern pulled away behind an 8-2 run that included a pair of kills from Barry. Later on, the Warriors fired off five straight points to finish the set, a stretch that included two more kills from Barry and a service ace by Bella Johnson.

Mitchell bounced back to take the third set and led from start to finish. DeLoach, Lexy Hanes and Ciera Moore each chipped in three kills to lead the charge. Eastern made a late push to get within one at 24-23, but a kill by Moore gave the Mariners the set and extended the match.

In the fourth, Stern served the Warriors out to a 7-0 start en route to the lopsided finish. Cruz Martinez recorded six kills in the set as Eastern picked up its third straight victory.

Mitchell (3-7 overall) will next play at Nichols College on Saturday, October 2 at 3 p.m.