Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Affair at Anna Maria
PAXTON, Mass. - The Mitchell College women's volleyball team
dropped a 3-2 non-conference match-up at Anna Maria College on
Monday night.
The Mariners took the first set 25-15 but dropped the next two by
finals of 25-23 and 25-20. Mitchell then roared back for a 25-12
win in the fourth set but lost 15-8 in the deciding fifth set.
Mitchell (4-13 overall) was led by sophomore Shayna Diggs with
12 kills while senior Stephanie
McKeon finished with 10. Senior Jen Bordonaro
recorded 22 assists and 14 digs while sophomore Samantha
Alevras-Tarbell contributed a team-high 19 digs.
Anna Maria's Alicia Bonneau set the school single match
assists record with 30 assists, surpassing her own previous record
of 26 set in 2009. Nichole Robbie chipped in with 13
kills and a game-high 17 digs for the AMCATS (7-17
overall) while Sandy Acosta led all players with 16
kills.
Anna Maria dropped the initial set by a score of
25-15. Mitchell jumped out to an early 10-3 lead by taking
advantage of several AMCAT miscues and cruised to
the victory. Diggs, sophomore Akesia Bernard
and McKeon each had two kills for the visitors in the
frame.
In the second set, the AMCATS held a late 18-13 lead before a
5-0 run by the Mariners erased the lead and evened the score at
18-18. Despite the late charge, Anna Maria used two kills
by Acosta and a Melissa Stedman service ace to seal the
25-23 victory. Acosta finished the set with five kills,
while Robbie also chipped in with two aces and a kill. McKeon
led the comeback attempt for Mitchell with four kills of her
own.
The third frame was a close battle, as neither team held a lead
larger than four points. Holding a 22-18 advantage, Anna
Maria received kills from Fabienne Jules, Heather
Wheeler and Robbie to wrap up the 25-20
victory. Bonneau was all over the court, as she added eight
assists in the set, while Bordonaro added three kills for
Mitchell.
With the match on the line, the Mariners refused to go quietly,
forcing a deciding game with a commanding 25-12 victory in the
fourth set. Diggs recorded three kills in the
game while McKeon added two kills and two service
aces.
In the final game to 15, the two teams battled to a 5-5 start. The
AMCATS then used a 10-3 run en-route to the 15-8 game and match
victory. Acosta and Robbie each added two kills
while the latter also added a pivotal ace during the late
run.
Mitchell will next host Eastern Connecticut State University on
Wednesday, October 20 at 7 p.m.
