Volleyball Edged in Five by Mitchell

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph volleyball team dropped a tense, 3-2 decision in a non-conference match Wednesday to Mitchell at the O'Connell Center.

The Blue Jays got off to a 1-0 lead with a 25-23, first-set win before Mitchell came back with 25-22 and 25-19 wins to go ahead 2-1. Saint Joseph stayed in the match with a 25-18 victory in the fourth, but Mitchell took the decider, 15-11.

Mitchell freshman Amanda Garcia (New Britain, Conn.) had 11 kills and only three errors and five solo blocks. She had three kills on just four swings to go along with a block in the fifth game.

The Blue Jays had a balanced offense as Ciara Perez (Manchester, Conn.), Emily Vigue (Lebanon, Conn.) and Rebecca DiPinto (Burlington, Conn.) had nine kills apiece. DiPinto was the most efficient, getting her nine put-aways on just 18 swings and without committing any hitting errors and also served three aces. Elizabeth Tuazon (Mystic, Conn.) had a match-high 18 digs for Saint Joseph and Perez added 12.

For Mitchell, Nicole Terni (Ledyard, Conn.) had 27 assists and she and Arianna Thomas (Fresno, Calif.) each had 15 digs.

Saint Joseph plays at Eastern Nazarene Sat. Sept. 15, beginning at 11 a.m. in a tri-match that also includes Curry. The Blue Jays next play home Tue. Sept. 18 against Elms at 7 p.m.