After snapping their 12-game win streak against Adelphi University last week, the Chargers came roaring back with a 3-0 sweep over crosstown rivals, the Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) Owls, at home on Friday, Nov. 3. The Chargers last won against the Owls in September. Looking for this result again, the Chargers took the court ready to get back in the win column.
After both teams traded service errors, the Chargers were quick to take control. New Haven rallied off four straight points with kills from sophomores Amihan Johnson and Kylie Reynolds-Martin and freshman Peyton Mast. That momentum was all the Chargers needed to jump out to an early lead. Senior Michelle Henwood added another kill followed by freshman Grace Juergens tallying a pair of kills and an ace as Henwood and Reynolds-Martin kept the Owls on their heels.
Trailing by six, the Owls called their first timeout in an attempt to regroup and slow New Haven’s momentum. They were unsuccessful, as Henwood added another kill before finding junior Macy Brown for her first kill 17 points into the first set.
New Haven refused to step off the gas as they executed a 6-0 run against SCSU with five kills. This led to the Owls calling their second timeout of the night. Returning to the court, Mast went back-to-back with kills that ended the first set for the Chargers with a convincing 25-10 win.
Coming off a hot start, Juergens kept it going with the serve, which led New Haven to a 9-0 run and forced SCSU into another timeout. With a strong lead, the Chargers were able to make changes and give players on the sideline a chance to contribute. Graduate Lydimar Soto De Los Santos earned a kill, as sophomore Amanda Tokam combined with Reynolds-Martin on a block that closed out the second set, which resulted in another 25-10 victory for New Haven.
The Chargers started strong in the third set with a 3-0 lead. Freshman setter Tori Borton and Reynolds-Martin combined on key slides to pick up kills as Borton also connected with fellow freshman Katherine Rank, who dominated the Owls’ defense as she picked up three kills on six attempts.
The Owls fought back and had a chance to take the lead after a 3-0 run, but they were unsuccessful as senior libero Rilee Jessee put New Haven back ahead off an ace. Borton then found sophomore Avery Moore for set and match point before an attack error by the Owls went long, allowing New Haven the victory in the third set, 25-19. This also finalized the 3-0 win for the Chargers in the match. Juergens and Reynolds-Martin both ended the match with ten kills while Henwood added 29 assists and 19 digs.
New Haven enters their final week of regular season play, as they get ready to take on the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.