Last weekend, the Chargers hosted Assumption University as their Senior Day opponent and swept the Greyhounds, 3-0.
Before the match began, New Haven honored a trio of senior players, including libero Carleigh Vedder, middle blocker Amber Williams, and outside hitter Macy Brown.
In the first set, the Greyhounds took an early four-point lead over the Chargers. Outside hitter Sofia Kamke and Williams led New Haven in an attempt to close the gap, but the Greyhounds went on another four-point spree led by two kills from Sophia Kane. The Chargers countered with a five-point spree of their own with a strong kill from Kamke and four points earned from errors made by Assumption. Middle blocker Naliah Grannell and outside hitter Grace Juergens added kills for New Haven, respectively. The Greyhounds countered with a trio of points led by a kill from Kaitlin Montgomery, but New Havens’ Juergens closed out the set with a kill and the Chargers won, 25-22.
The second set began with a rally between the Chargers and Greyhounds. Kamke secured the first kill for New Haven followed by opposite side Peyton Mast. Assumption’s Marisa Billone and Montgomery secured kills, but the Charger’s offense quickly countered with a four-point spree. Kamke paved the path with two kills followed by a kill from middle blocker Katherine Rank. Libero Evelyn Kay Girard added a service ace. After a series of attack errors made by the Greyhounds, New Haven advanced their lead and didn’t look back for the remainder of the set. Assumption tried to find a breakthrough following two service aces from Tatiana Calderin, but the set ended off a service error by the Greyhounds. New Haven decidedly won, 25-16.
In the final set, New Haven had another strong start with a kill from Juergens followed by back-to-back kills from setter Tori Borton and Mast, respectively. Assumption’s Carly Goodhue countered with a pair of kills, but the Chargers’ offense persisted. Mast, Grannell, Rank, and Kamke each added a kill for New Haven. The Chargers furthered their lead with a seven-point spree led by three service aces from Borton and a pair of attack errors from the Greyhounds. Assumption was able to find momentum following five errors by the Chargers and two kills from Goodhue, but New Haven quickly found their rhythm again. Williams and Kamke each added a kill for the Chargers and New Haven finished the set 25-18.
The Chargers finished the match with 42 kills compared to the Greyhounds’ 29 kills. New Haven tallied 11 errors while Assumption had 17. Setter Juli De Acharan had 17 assists and Borton was right behind with 13 of her own. Libero Payton Malinoski led New Haven’s defense with 11 digs.
After the shutout against Assumption, the Chargers have an overall record of 18-9 and 8-2 in NE10 play. New Haven will take the court again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday as they host Southern New Hampshire University for the first round of the NE10 Conference Championship. The playoff game will be held at Jeffrey P. Hazell Athletics Center. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
