Volleyball Drops 3-0 Final to Conn

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College lost a 3-0 final to crosstown rival Connecticut College on Tuesday night in a women's volleyball clash at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Camels won by set scores of 25-20, 25-15 and 25-15 to improve to 2-4 overall. Katie Gunderman and Katherine Randall led the way with eight kills apiece, and setter Lauren Carey added seven kills and 31 assists. 

Olivia DeLoach finished with eight kills and six digs to lead the Mariners. Stephanie Costabile chipped in a match-high 12 digs while Claire Binfield handed out 18 assists.

Mitchell trailed for most of the first set but closed the deficit to 17-15 on a service ace by Megan Pardee. However, a kill by Randall on the ensuing rally was the first of four straight points for the Camels, a stretch that included a kill by Gunderman and an ace by Julia Dailey. Conn then coasted to the finish, sewing up the set on a quick-kill by Carey.

The visitors never trailed in the second set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a kill by Emma Wheeler and blocks by Carey and Amanda Kreidler. Mitchell kept within striking distance, but Conn pulled away by winning 10 of the final 12 points to go up 2-0 in the match.

The final set was nip and tuck early, with neither side leading by more than two. The Camels finally got some separation behind a 6-0 run that featured kills by Gunderman, Carey and Christina Leduc and cushioned the lead to 18-11. Conn then quickly put away the final points to earn its first three-set victory of the season.

Mitchell (3-8 overall) will next play at Nichols College on Saturday, October 2 at 12 p.m.