Volleyball Drops Home Tri-Match to Saint Joseph’s College and Framingham State

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on Saturday, falling 3-0 to Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup and 3-0 to Framingham State University (FSU) in non-conference play inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. With the results, the Blue Jays fell to 3-14 overall and 1-3 in GNAC play.

SJC 3, USJ 0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-16)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays got off to a strong start in the opening set, taking an early 7-3 lead behind kills from graduate middle hitter Avery Fitzgerald (Milford, Conn.) and junior outside hitter Shaye Harris (Bloomfield, Conn.), along with a service ace from Harris.

• SJC responded with a 7-0 run midway through the set to take a 15-10 advantage, then extended the lead with several well-placed serves to close the frame, 25-15.

• USJ battled early in set two, with Harris and junior middle blocker Vivian Pawloski (Wallingford, Conn.) connecting for kills to pull within 12-10.

• The Monks then took control behind a 9-3 stretch to widen the gap and take the second set, 25-18.

• In the third, sophomore libero Alyssa Dugas (Newington, Conn.) kept several rallies alive with key digs, while Fitzgerald and Harris added kills to make it 14-12 midway through.

• SJC, however, closed on a 10-3 run to take the final set, 25-16, and complete the sweep.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Harris led USJ with seven kills and seven digs, adding two service aces.

• Fitzgerald posted five kills on a .455 hitting percentage and added three blocks.

• A. Dugas anchored the defense with eight digs.

• Sophomore setter Gabi Wanner (Southington, Conn.) handed out 12 assists and added an ace.

• USJ hit .137 as a team, while SJC finished at .313.

FSU 3, USJ 0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-13)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ opened the match with early momentum, taking a 3-0 lead behind kills from junior middle blocker Sofia Weiss (Babylon, N.Y.) and Harris.

• Framingham State answered with a 9-3 run to move in front and never looked back, using consistent serving to take the first set, 25-18.

• In the second, graduate outside hitter Emilia Dugas (Newington, Conn.) and Weiss led the offense early, combining for four kills as USJ stayed even through 11 points.

• The Rams pulled away late behind strong net play and service pressure to win the frame, 25-18.

• The Blue Jays kept battling in the third, as Harris, E. Dugas, and Pawloski each tallied kills to keep USJ within 14-11.

• FSU continued its efficient play down the stretch, closing on an 11-2 run to claim the set, 25-13, and the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• E. Dugas paced the Blue Jays with seven kills and nine digs.

• Wanner dished out 24 assists and added five digs.

• Harris recorded five kills and 15 digs, while A. Dugas posted a team-high 19 digs.

• Weiss hit .455 with five kills and two block assists.

• Pawloski chipped in four kills, four digs, and a block assist.

• FSU outhit USJ .236 to .091 and finished with 15 service aces to the Blue Jays' 4.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays head back on the road for a non-conference match against intrastate foe Connecticut College on Tuesday, October 7. First serve against the Camels inside Luce Field House in New London, Conn., is set for 7:00 p.m.

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