In their first Division I matchup, New Haven fell short against the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Wildcats, 3-1.

In the first set, the Chargers started strong and capitalized on Wildcat errors. Opposite side Lauren MacKellar struck first with a kill, but New Hampshire countered with a pair of attacks. The Chargers earned six points from service and attack errors, but the Wildcats took the lead after consecutive kills from Millie Grove and Meredith Hohnbaum. New Haven fought back with two kills from right side Jordan Northcutt and setter Caroline Johnston. The Chargers gained their final point off an attack error from the Wildcats and won the first set, 25-23.

In the second set, the Chargers took an early lead and gained momentum off kills by outside hitter Kole Fluckiger and setter Juli DeAcharan. The Wildcats fought back with kills from Lindsey Kriendler, Grove and Hohnbaum. The Chargers and Wildcats stood neck and neck until UNH put New Haven in a six-point deficit. The Chargers could not mount a comeback and fell short, 25-17.

The third set began with a strong offensive start for the Wildcats. Hohnbaum had three kills for New Hampshire, followed by kills from Dylan Hunt and Varvara Zvereva. New Haven found a breakthrough after two kills by right side Victoria Trunkl and a service ace from Fluckiger. After intense back and forth play between the Chargers and Wildcats, New Haven’s defense could not match the heavy hitting from UNH. The Chargers lost, 25-23.

In the final set, the Wildcats started strong against the Chargers. Hunt struck first with a kill followed by additional attacks from Rachel Grier and Grove. New Haven’s offense struggled as four of their points were earned off New Hampshire errors. MacKellar, middle blocker Josie Foster and Trunkl had seven combined kills, but it wasn’t enough to match the Wildcats’ offense. Hunt secured the win for New Hampshire with a service ace and finished the fourth set, 25-17.

The Chargers finished the match with 41 kills compared to the Wildcats’ 63. MacKellar led the Chargers with 10 kills and middle blocker Naliah Grannell had 10 blocks. New Haven and New Hampshire both tallied 25 errors. DeAcharan had 15 assists, and Johnston was right behind with 12 of her own. Libero Payton Malinoski led the Chargers’ defense with 21 digs.

With the loss, the Chargers move to 0-1 on the season. New Haven will take the court again at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Providence College. The non-conference match will be held in Providence, R.I. and will be available on TV at Friars All Access. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.