WestConn closes out home invitational with 3-2 win over WNEC
DANBURY, CT (Sep. 5) — After dropping its first two matches of the weekend, the Western Connecticut State University volleyball team came from behind to beat Western New England College 3-2 Saturday afternoon at Feldman Arena.
In the day’s first match, WestConn dropped a tough five-game match 3-2 to Johnson & Wales. After losing the first game 25-16, the Colonials stormed back to take games two and three by the scores of 25-17 and 25-10. In game two, WestConn pulled away early and tied the match at one game apiece when junior Sarah Stevens (Seymour, CT) blocked a Johnson & Wales kill attempt. In game three, the Colonials again controlled the early action taking a 6-1 lead. With WestConn leading 18-10, Johnson & Wales called a time out, but the Colonials took the next seven points and the game, 25-10. In game four, Johnson & Wales ran out to an early 8-3 lead, but WestConn sophomore Jamie Bertilson (Ridgefield, CT) served five straight points to tie the game at 8-8. Trailing 16-14, the Colonials called a timeout, but Johnson & Wales pulled away to win the game 25-20 and tie the match at 2-2. Game five remained close early, but with the score tied 11-11 Johnson & Wales sophomore Abbey Reedy (Cincinnati, OH) served three consecutive points to reach match-point. The Colonials closed the gap to 14-12, but a beautiful cross-court kill by freshman Karlie Haack (Selkirk, NY) closed out the game and the match in favor of Johnson & Wales.
In Saturday’s second match, the US Coast Guard Academy dominated the first two games and then fought off a comeback bid by Western New England College to prevail in four games, 3-1.
Coast Guard finished off an undefeated weekend with a 3-1 victory over Johnson & Wales. Coast Guard freshman Keriann Mason (Highland, CA) was named the tournament MVP.
In the final match of the tournament, Western New England College took the first two games against the host Colonials, but WestConn stormed back taking the next two games to force a deciding fifth game. In game four, junior Natalie Crosby (East Haven, CT) powered home a cross-court smash on game point to give the Colonials a 25-22 win. In game five, Crosby again slammed home the winning point to give the Colonials the game and the match.
WestConn’s season record now stands at 2-2. The Colonials will be in action again on Tuesday, September 8th, when they host John Jay at Feldman Arena. Game time is slated for 7:00pm.
Match #3
Johnson & Wales - 25 17 10 25 15 - 3
WestConn - 16 25 25 20 12 - 2
WestConn Highlights
Sammie Hathaway – 35 assists, 6 digs
Kelley Collins – 35 digs
Becca Stein – 8 kills, 6 blocks
Sarah Stevens – 14 kills
Johnson & Wales Highlights
Ashley Constanino – 10 kills, 12 digs, 2 aces
Emma Anderson – 11 kills, 8 digs
Kasey Higgins – 26 assists, 6 aces, 12 digs
Katie Barrett – 12 digs
Match #4
US Coast Guard - 25 25 25 25 - 3
WNEC - 13 14 27 21 - 1
US Coast Guard Highlights
Kariann Mason – 17 kills, 33 digs, 1 ace
Jessica Anderson – 26 digs
Catherine Walker – 8 kills
Karen Matic – 40 assists
Western New England College Highlights
Sam Shomo – 10 kills, 5 aces, 13 digs
Katharina Boes – 10 digs, 22 assists
Marci Egbert – 12 digs
Rachel Cervone – 6 kills
Match #5
US Coast Guard - 23 25 25 25 - 3
Johnson & Wales - 25 23 22 17 - 1
US Coast Guard Highlights
Kariann Mason – 11 kills, 19 digs, 4 aces, 3 blocks
Karen Matic – 36 assists, 10 digs
Lauren Bloch – 11 kills, 15 digs
Nicole Johnson – 11 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks
Johnson & Wales Highlights
Catherine Bravo – 21 kills, 7 digs
Audrey Warren – 8 kills, 4 blocks
Kasey Higgins – 31 assists, 9 digs
Katie Barrett – 13 digs
Match #6
WestConn - 18 20 25 25 15 - 3
WNEC - 25 25 21 22 11 - 2
WestConn Highlights
Kelley Collins – 33 digs
Natalie Crosby – 17 kills (2 game winning), 18 digs
Becca Stein – 15 kills, 4 blocks
Sammie Hathaway – 47 assists
Western New England College Highlights
Rachel Cervone – 13 kills, 8 digs
Marci Egbert – 25 digs
Katharina Boes – 32 assists, 13 digs
Sam Shomo – 9 kills, 12 digs, 3 aces
All-Tournament Team
Keriann Mason, US Coast Guard (MVP)
Karen Matic, US Coast Guard
Kelley Collins, WestConn
Ashley Constantino, Johnson & Wales
Samantha Shomo, Western New England College
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