Last Tuesday, the Chargers’ women’s volleyball team defeated the Mercy University Mavericks, 3-1.
In the first set, New Haven went on a four-point spree started by a kill from opposite side Peyton Mast and followed by two attack errors from the Mavericks, as well as a service ace from setter Tori Borton. Mercy countered with their own five-point run led by Julia Pomerleau with two kills. The Mavericks took a one-point advantage until the Chargers took the lead off a kill from Mast and held the advantage for the remainder of the set. Outside hitters Sofia Kamke and Grace Juergens had six kills between them and Kamke had a pair of service aces. The Mavericks fell short offensively and gained their final two points of the set from attack and service errors made by the Chargers. New Haven won the set 25-13.
The second set opened with a rally between the Chargers and Mavericks. Juergens, Kamke, Mast and middle blocker Amber Williams all secured a kill for the Chargers, respectively. The Mavericks gained their early points off two errors made by the Chargers and two kills from Mercy’s Gabriela Bieniek. The Chargers and Mavericks stood neck and neck until New Haven scored three points off Mercy’s offensive errors. The Mavericks fought back offensively and secured seven kills led by Grace Dilena. Mercy beat New Haven 25-16.
The Chargers and Mavericks had an intense back and forth rally to begin the third set. Middle blocker Naliah Grannell had back-to-back kills with additional attacks made by Juergens and Kamke. Mercy’s Pomerleau and Dilena kept the Mavericks in the game with five kills between the pair. New Haven took the lead off a kill from Kamke and went on an offensive spree which secured an eight-point advantage over the Mavericks. Juergens sealed the match with a kill and New Haven won the set 25- 18.
In the final set, the Chargers took an early lead led by Borton with a kill followed by three errors made by the Mavericks. Mercy had a series of kills by Dilena, Bieniek, and Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes but was unable to catch up to New Haven. Kamke closed out the set with four strong kills along with an attack from Williams and a service ace from Mast. The Chargers finished 25-15.
New Haven finished the match with 53 kills while Mercy was behind with 41 kills. Kamke led the Chargers with 19 kills as Juergens and Mast were behind with 14 and eight of their own, respectively. The Mavericks tallied 22 errors compared to the Chargers’ 14. Borton had a striking 45 assists out of the total 48. Libero Payton Malinoski led the Chargers defensively with 19 digs and Kamke added 14 of her own.
After the win over Mercy, New Haven has an overall record of 13-7 and 4-0 in conference play. The Chargers will be back on their home court at 7 p.m. on Tuesday to host the Adelphi University Panthers for their Dig Pink game. The conference league match will be held at Jeffery P. Hazell Athletics Center. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
