Volleyball Falls 3-0 to ENC

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College women's volleyball team fell 3-0 to Eastern Nazarene College on Wednesday night in New England Collegiate Conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center. 

The Lions won by set scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-11, improving their record to 16-1 overall, 2-0 within the conference. 

The Mariners, who dropped to 10-9 overall (0-2 NECC), were led senior Olivia DeLoach, who tallied a team-high eight kills to go along with eight digs. Allison Blum added five kills and 10 digs, while Julia Lent registered 11 digs, and Claire Binfield dished out 19 assists. 

After the Lions jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the opening set, Mitchell battled back, twice trimming the deficit to one point. With ENC leading by five at 14-9, the Mariners ripped off four straight points, however ENC regained control by scoring three of four and would not look back, taking the opening set 25-20. 

The second set displayed remarkable resilience by the home team, who trailed 18-9 midway through. Four straight points, which included a kill by Sarah Aviles and a service ace by Blum, got Mitchell back in the mix. Unfortunately for the home team, ENC answered by scoring four straight of their own, seemingly taking control of the set at 22-13. The Mariners then peeled off nine of the next 11 points, fuled with kills by DeLoach and Molly Steel-Miller, turning a nine point defifict to two. After a timeout, an attack error by the visitors made it a one point set, 24-23, however Eliana Baran dashed all hopes of a comeback with a kill to ice it. 

The Lions controlled the action for the entirety of the third set, scoring 13 of the final 16 points down the stretch to close out the action. 

Baran paced ENC with a match-best 13 kills, while Halle Julian joined her in double figures with 10. Telma Zelaya added 14 digs and 30 assists, both also game-high numbers. 

Mitchell will continue conference play on Saturday, October 22, when they host New England College at 1:00 pm on Senior Day. Meanwhile, Eastern Nazarene will host Lesley University in NECC action on Saturday, October 22, at 11:00 am.