Volleyball Drops Season Opener to ECSU

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's volleyball team dropped its season opener to intrastate foes Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-13), Friday evening inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. With the result, the Blue Jays begin the year 0-1 while the Warriors move to 1-0.

Junior outside hitter Shaye Harris (Bloomfield, Conn.) led the Blue Jays offensively with six kills on the night, while sophomore setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.) dished out 13 assists to go with a team-high 10 digs. Junior middle blocker Vivian Pawloski (Wallingford, Conn.) chipped in three kills, while sophomore libero Alyssa Dugas (Newington, Conn.) added five digs from the back row.

ECSU took control early in the opening set, using a 7-2 run to create separation, before USJ pulled within two, 8-6, after a kill from senior defensive specialist Tatianah Ziegler (Troy, N.Y.). However, the Warriors closed the set on a 10-4 surge to secure a 25-12 win in the opening set. USJ put together some bright moments in the second, including a block from junior middle blocker Sofia Weiss (Babylon, N.Y.) and junior middle hitter Karla Flores (Oakdale, Conn.) that pulled the Blue Jays within 10, 18-8, but the Warriors responded with a 7-1 stretch to regain momentum and take the frame, 25-14.

In the third, ECSU raced out to another early gap, holding a 7-0 edge. The Blue Jays clawed back to within 12-7 after back-to-back kills from Harris and Pawloski, but the Warriors answered with another extended run and closed out the match, 25-13.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays and Warriors won't have to wait long for a rematch, as USJ hosts ECSU and Mount Holyoke in a tri-match Saturday, Aug. 30, inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium. The Blue Jays face the Lyons at noon before meeting the Warriors again at 4 p.m.

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