Over the weekend, New Haven volleyball traveled to Florida to compete in the Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Volleyball Classic. In the Chargers season opening games, they faced Hillsdale College, number two ranked in the country, University of Tampa, and Texas Woman’s University.
Starting the tournament, the New Haven Chargers faced the Hillsdale College Chargers, falling short of a close game, 3-0.
In the first set, New Haven was leading the scoreboard until Hillsdale broke the tie at 10-10 and held the lead for the remainder of the set. New Haven finished the first set with 10 kills, starting off from outside hitter Grace Juergens. Despite their strong offense, the New Haven Chargers fell 25-21 in the first set. The pair of Chargers went back and forth during the second set, ending with New Haven being at a deficit of 26-24. Hillsdale called the game as they won the final set 25-20. The New Haven Chargers finished with 29 kills, against Hillsdale’s 37. Thirteen of these kills were assisted through New Haven’s setter, Tori Borton.
Following their loss to Hillsdale College, the Chargers prepared to take on the number two ranked team in the country, University of Tampa. Despite putting their all on the court, New Haven fell short 3-0.
New Haven started the first set with a two-point advantage and then went point for point until the Spartans secured the advantage, 25-19. In the second set, the Spartans went on a spree, gaining a twelve-point advantage over the Chargers, leading to a final score of 25-13. In the third set, the University of Tampa won 25-19. New Haven finished the game with a total of 28 kills, countered by Tampa’s striking 43. Borton assisted 12 of these kills, while Juli DeAcharan added 11 assists of her own. The team finished with 13 errors overall.
To cap off the volleyball classic, the Chargers faced the Pioneers of Texas Woman’s University. Unable to secure a comeback, New Haven fell short 3-1.
In the first set, the Chargers stood neck and neck with the Pioneers, and had a five point advantage until TWU made a comeback and took the set, 25-23. The second set was back and forth between the Chargers and Pioneers until a service error set New Haven back, 25-21. Setting themselves in a comeback position, the Chargers had 8 kills and took the third set 25-22. Unable to keep the rally going, the Chargers fell short to TCU in the fourth set, 25-18. New Haven had a total of 32 kills during the match, 10 aces, and 31 assists between Borton, DeAcharan, Naliah Grannell, and Payton Malinoski.
New Haven now stands at an overall record of 0-3 and is preparing for the Sandy Hoffman Memorial tournament in Waltham, Massachusetts. The first match is set for Friday as the Chargers will take on the Yellow Jackets of American International College. The first serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Dana Center. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
