On Tuesday, New Haven hosted the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights for their home opener. After intense rallies from both teams, the Chargers swept the Knights, 3-0.
In the first set, the Chargers defeated the Purple Knights 25-21. Outside hitter Grace Juergens led the team with five kills followed by Sofia Kamke with four of her own. Middle blocker Naliah Grannell added two kills alongside opposite sides Peyton Mast and Lauren MacKellar each with one kill.
The Chargers had two aces during the set, one from Kamke and the other from setter Juli De Acharan. Bridgeport’s Lucia Tomiello led her team with five kills in the opening set.
In the second set, New Haven took a 25-17 advantage over Bridgeport. The Chargers started the set with a seven-point lead after a trio of aces, two kills, and an attack error by the Purple Knights. Kamke took charge in the set with five kills, Juergens and opposite side Mast were both right behind with four kills each. Middle blocker Amber Williams also added two kills. Both teams had three aces, Kamke secured the trio for New Haven. Setter Tori Borton had eight assists and De Acharan followed with six. Early in the set, Juergens and Grannell had a block.
In the final set, the Chargers secured their win, 25-21. Williams led the Chargers with six kills as Juergens followed with four. Grannell added three kills alongside libero Payton Malinoski, middle blocker Katherine Rank, Mast, and Kamke each contributing one kill. Bridgeport’s Paola Hernandez led the opposing team with a striking nine kills in the third set. De Acharan had two aces for the Chargers. Williams, Kamke, Juergens, and Grannell each added a block. Both Borton and De Acharan finished with seven assists.
New Haven finished with 46 kills overall, led by Juergens, Kamke, and Williams, respectively. Bridgeport had 34 kills with a total of 16 errors, compared to New Haven’s 11. The Chargers had 43 assists and seven aces.
After their sweep over Bridgeport, New Haven now has an overall record of 2-5. The Chargers will take the court next on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. to face the Post University Eagles. The game will be held in Waterbury, CT at the Drubner Center. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
