COLONIALS EDGE SAINTS IN HOME OPENER

BOSTON, Mass. – Western Connecticut State University pulled out a three-set victory over the host Emmanuel College Saints in a hard-fought non-conference women's volleyball battle in the Jean Yawkey Center on Wednesday night.  The match was the home opener for the Saints, who hung with the visiting Colonials in all three sets, but were edged, 23-25, 24-26 and 21-25.  The loss drops the Saints to 1-4 on the young season, while the Colonials remain unbeaten at 3-0.

Emmanuel powered out to an 8-6 lead in set one, backed by strong serving from junior captain Christine Durkee (Salem, Conn.).  The Saints held on to their lead, jumping out to a 13-9 advantage and forcing a timeout by Western Conn.  The Colonials then clawed their way back, taking advantage of Emmanuel miscues and going on an 11-1 run to surge out in front.  A kill by senior middle Melanie Lombardi (Danbury, Conn.) forced an EC timeout with the Saints now trailing, 20-14.

An ace by Sarah Colby was part of an ensuing 6-1 run by the Saints, who brought the spread back to within one, down 21-20.   An attack error by the visitors knotted the set at 21-all.  After a Western Conn kill by Heather Williams (Kingston, N.Y.) and an Emmanuel kill by Kaitlyn Atkinson (Brookline, N.H.), the set was tied once again at 23-all.  Consecutive points, including a powerful attack by Karissa Smith (Bristol, Conn.) ended it with the visitors taking a 25-23 set one win.

The Saints were again able to hold an early lead, edging out 11-9 in the first part of set two.  A slam from the middle by Atkinson put EC up three.  A kill from the left side by Cassie Chruscielski (Duluth, Minn.) gave the Saints a 16-12 lead.  Western Conn got a huge assisted block from Lombardi and Cady Cordes (Fallon, Nev.) to fight back to within one at 20-19.  The set saw ties at 21, 22, 23 and 24-all, before an epic rally led to a point by the Colonials and Williams put one down to end it at 26-24.

The visitors carried their momentum into the third set, building an early 5-1 lead.  This time it was Emmanuel fighting back and an attack error by Western Conn forged a tie at 11-11.  An ace by Chruscielski helped EC build a 16-14 advantage.  Cordes' smash down the middle made put the Colonials up, 22-18.  Late errors on the offensive front by the Saints added to Western's tally and the visitors held on for the 25-21 set three win and the match sweep.

Both team's struggled offensively, with the Colonials hitting just .088 and the Saints swinging at -.058.  Junior outside-hitter Nina Wojtkiewicz (Griswold, Conn.) led the victors with a double-double of 12 kills and 12 digs.  Smith added 7 kills, 6 digs and 4 aces, while junior setter Jennifer Hogan (Franklin Square, N.Y.) dished out 16 assists.  Senior captain Rachel Volpe (Southington, Conn.) led the Western Conn backrow with a match-high 17 digs in the win.

The Saints were paced by 5 kills apiece from Atkinson, Sarah Colby (West Barnstable, Mass.) and Brittany Tutalo (Johnston, R.I.).  Shannon Dudley (Morro Bay, Calif.) and Cara Callahan (Medway, Mass.) combined for 30 digs to lead the defense, while Dudley also dished out 18 assists in the effort.

Emmanuel will return to the court this weekend, when the Saints travel to Brandeis University for an invitational tournament.  The Saints will open up action on Friday night, facing Tufts University at 4:00 PM and Coast Guard at 8:00 PM.  Western Connecticut will travel to Springfield, Mass. to compete in the Western New England University Tournament on Friday and Saturday.