Volleyball Outlasts Mitchell in Five

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph volleyball team earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Mitchell College Thursday in a non-conference match at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Saint Joseph (8-20 overall) rallied from down a set and fought off a match point to win by set scores of 25-21, 14-25, 23-25, 25-20 and 16-14. Ciara Perez (Manchester, Conn.) recorded 14 kills while Emily Vigue (Lebanon, Conn.) had 11 kills and 17 digs for the Blue Jays.

Saint Joseph came out on top in a back-and-forth first set that featured 10 ties and six lead changes. The Blue Jays pulled ahead for good behind a kill by Perez that made it 13-12. Mitchell fell behind by as many as four before rallying back to pull within one at 21-20. Rebecca DiPinto (Burlington, Conn.) changed the tide with a big block to put USJ back up by two, and the ensuing kill by Vigue made the margin three en route to the win.

Mitchell bounced back to take the next two sets and took a 15-10 lead in the fourth. The Blue Jays stormed back by winning the next eight points to snatch away the lead and all momentum. DiPinto served for seven points during the run while Perez contributed a pair of kills. After Mitchell fought back to tie the score at 18-18, another kill from Perez put Saint Joseph back in front for good.

The Blue Jays got off to a great start in the final set, racing out to an 8-3 lead before the two teams switched sides. The Mariners then began to claw their way back and eventually took their first lead at 14-13. Saint Joseph fended off match point and then got one of their own following a Mitchell attack error. The Blue Jays didn't waste the opportunity, closing out the match behind Vigue's third kill of the set.

Amanda Dondero (Mastic, N.Y.) and Elizabeth Tuazon (Mystic, Conn.) each had 15 digs for Saint Joseph. Megan Williams (Lakeville, Conn.) had 28 assists, 13 digs and four kills.

The win gave Saint Joseph a split of the season series. The two teams met earlier this year and Mitchell came away the victor in another five-set marathon. The Blue Jays have won their of their past four matches. 

Saint Joseph closes out its season Sat. Oct. 26 with a conference tri-match at Mount Ida College that also includes Emmanuel, beginning at 10 a.m.