WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL POSTS 3-1 WIN VS. EASTERN CT STATE IN HOME-OPENER

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College posted a 3-1 (25-8, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22) win over Eastern Connecticut State University Wednesday evening in non-conference women's volleyball action in the Jean Yawkey Center. The Saints improve to 5-5 on the year while the loss drops the Warriors to 4-2 overall.

Emmanuel made quick work of Eastern Connecticut in the opening set, cruising to a 25-8 win behind an impressive .560 attacking percentage. Sophomore middle hitter Kaitlyn Atkinson (Brookline, N.H.) led the way with five kills in the set while the Saints reeled off 10 consecutive points behind the service game of junior middle hitter Brittany Tutalo (Johnston, R.I.).

The Saints were in control in the second set en route to the 25-14 win. Tutalo slammed home five kills while junior setter Shannon Dudley (Morro Bay, Cali.) recorded three aces in the frame. ECSU junior defensive specialist Allie Luppi (Tewksbury, Mass.) paced the defensive front, registering six digs in the set for the Warriors.

In the third set, Emmanuel jumped out to a 4-2 lead and it looked like they were in position for the sweep but a well-placed timeout by Eastern Head Coach Megan Silver Droesch stopped any early runs by the hosts and helped the Warriors take control of the action. Sophomore outside hitter Adrianna Mihalek (Woodbury, Conn.) and sophomore middle hitter Kay Mullen (Fairhaven, Mass.) each picked up three kills to propel the visitors to a 25-22 win to make it 2-1 in the match.

The Warriors appeared to have the upper hand in the fourth set after a kill by Mihalek gave them a 14-9 cushion midway through the frame but Emmanuel was able to tie the score at 15-15 following back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Danielle Rose (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.). After the squads traded points all the way to 19-all, Emmanuel took the lead for good following a Tutalo kill, powering the hosts to a 25-22 win.

Sophomore outside hitter Cassie Chruscielski (Duluth, Minn.) led Emmanuel with a team-high 13 kills to go along with eight digs. Tutalo and Atkinson each chipped in with 10 kills. Dudley dished out a match high 39 assists while also recording 13 digs while senior libero Cara Callahan (Medway, Mass.) recorded a game-high 17 digs in the win.

For the Warriors, Mihalek registered a game-high 15 kills while senior setter Allie Henry (Middleton, Conn.) worked the offense with 18 assists. Luppi and freshman libero Michelle Valliere (Lebanon, Conn.) contributed 12 digs a piece.

The Saints return to action this weekend when they compete in the MIT Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, opening play against the host Engineers on Saturday at 4:30 PM. Eastern is back in action on Friday at the Trinity College (CT) Invitational, facing Western New England College at 7:00 PM.