Volleyball Bests Curry, Falls to Sarah Lawrence Saturday Afternoon

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team split a pair of matches during a non-conference tri-match Saturday afternoon, sweeping Curry College (Curry), 3-0, before falling to host Sarah Lawrence College (Sarah Lawrence), 3-0 at the Campbell Sports Center in Bronxville, N.Y. With the results, the Blue Jays move to 2-8 on the season, while the Colonels drop to 2-6 and the Gryphons improve to 4-4.

USJ 3, CURRY 0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-11)

• USJ opened strong in the first set, building a 15-10 advantage behind graduate outside hitter Emilia Dugas (Newington, Conn.) and junior middle blocker Vivian Pawloski (Wallingford, Conn.), who each tallied early kills

• Curry trimmed the deficit to 20-18, but sophomore libero Alyssa Dugas (Newington, Conn.) steadied the back row with a pair of digs during a three-point USJ spurt. Emilia Dugas closed the set with a kill to secure the 25-20 win.

• The second set was the tightest of the match, featuring 10 ties and several lead changes.

• USJ trailed 24-23 before sophomore outside hitter Avery Fitzgerald (Coventry, Conn.) delivered a clutch kill to fend off set point.

• Senior middle blocker Tatianah Ziegler (Windsor, Conn.) followed with a service ace, and Emilia Dugas capped the late rally with another kill as the Blue Jays edged Curry, 26-24.

• Momentum carried over into the third set, where USJ raced to a 12-4 advantage. Senior setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.) directed the attack efficiently, while Pawloski added a pair of blocks.

• The Blue Jays dominated from the service line with three aces in the frame, pulling away for a decisive 25-11 finish.

Inside the Box Score

• Emilia Dugas paced the team with six kills and four service aces

• Alyssa Dugas was solid defensively, racking up a team-high 16 digs

• Pawloski chipped in four kills and three blocks.

• Wanner dished out a team-high 10 assists.

SARAH LAWRENCE 3, USJ 0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-13)

• The opener was tightly contested with 10 ties and four lead changes. Junior outside hitter Shaye Harris (Bloomfield, Conn.) kept USJ within striking distance with four kills, including one that pulled the Blue Jays within 23-22.

• The Gryphons responded with back-to-back points, however, to close out the set, 25-22.

• Sarah Lawrence seized control midway through the second, stringing together a 7-1 run to stretch a one-point lead into a 17-10 cushion.

• Wanner tried to spark USJ with a service ace, and Emilia Dugas chipped in two kills, but the Gryphons maintained momentum and took the frame, 25-14.

• In the third, Emilia Dugas and Harris combined for four kills to keep USJ close at 12-9.

• Sarah Lawrence responded with a 10-3 run, fueled by junior outside hitter Athena Kazos, who finished with a match-high 14 kills.

• The Gryphons hit .417 in the final frame to close out the sweep, 25-13.

Inside the Box Score

• Emilia Dugas recorded a team-high nine kills

• Harris chipped in with seven kills.

• Wanner dished out 18 assists.

• Alyssa Dugas notched 14 digs to lead the defense.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return home for a non-conference match against crosstown foes the University of Hartford on Thursday, September 18. Opening serve against the Hawks inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium is set for 6:00 p.m.

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