Volleyball Edges Saint Joseph in Five Sets
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College volleyball team
defeated Saint Joseph College in a thrilling five-set match on
Wednesday night by a 3-2 final at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Mitchell (3-1 overall) took the match by final scores of 13-25,
25-11, 26-24, 23-25 and 15-13. Senior Stephanie
McKeon led the Mariners with a team-high 10 kills and added 10
digs for the double-double. Amanda Dondero put down a match-high 11
kills to lead Saint Joseph (1-5 overall).
Both teams were shaky at the service stripe in the first set, but
Saint Joseph managed a 5-0 edge in aces that helped them cruise to
an early lead. Mitchell responded in the second set, snapping a 6-6
deadlock by winning 19 of the next 24 points to even the match. The
Mariners took the lead for good behind the serve of senior Kelly Ryan, who
finished with five aces in the match.
In the third set, Mitchell trailed by four points before a kill and
three straight aces from Ryan tied things up at 11-11. After a
quick timeout, the Blue Jays regrouped and quickly regained the
lead. Saint Joseph looked to be in control serving for set point up
24-20, but the Mariners rallied for six straight points to steal
the set away. McKeon served for the final five points—three
of which came on aces—during the stretch.
Saint Joseph bounced back in the fourth set, taking the lead from
the start and never trailing. Michelle DiPinto gave the Blue Jays
their biggest lead at 22-15 with three straight aces, though the
Mariners once again made a late charge to make things interesting.
Mitchell made up the deficit behind the serves of both junior Brittany
Zaccaria and Ryan to tie the score at 23-23, but the Blue Jays
held on to take the next two points and even up the match.
The deciding set was back and forth until Ryan served for three
straight points to give Mitchell a 9-6 lead. Saint Joseph then
answered with five consecutive points thanks to the serve of
Katelyn Morency to seize the momentum at 11-9. After a kill by
McKeon pulled the Mariners to within two, senior Jen Bordonaro
served for four straight points to put Mitchell back in front.
McKeon added the finishing touch with her 10th kill of the night
for the win.
Bordonaro also recorded a double-double with a match-high 17
assists and 10 digs. Ryan had four kills and a block assist to go
with her five aces.
Four Blue Jays finished with double-digits digs, led by 15 from
Jennifer Braun. Dondero and Braun also notched double-doubles on
the night with 10 assists apiece.
Mitchell will next play a doubleheader against Lehman College (12
p.m.) and New Jersey City University (2 p.m.) on Saturday,
September 18.