Women’s Volleyball Wraps Up Play at the Roadrunner Invitational

Written by Andrew Capitelli (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Mahwah, NJ| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's volleyball team concluded play at the Roadrunner Invitational at Ramapo College on Saturday with defeats to the hosts (3-0) and SUNY Potsdam (3-2).

With the losses the Golden Eagles drop to 1-6 on the year as the Roadrunners improve to 7-2 and the Bears to 6-5.

Ramapo 3, SJC 0

The Golden Eagles would take a 19-18 lead late in the first set, but the Roadrunners compiled a 7-1 run to deny the guests and claim a 25-20 victory.

After dropping the second set 25-12, SJC used a mid-set rally in the third to bring the score back within two (19-17), but Ramapo grabbed five of the next six points to pull ahead 24-18.

With their backs against the wall, the Golden Eagles claimed the next four points, but a attack error by Jessica Nicholson clinched the 25-22 set and 3-0 match victories for the Roadrunners.

The SJC attack was led by senior Claire Urizzo, who was credited with a team-high nine kills. Senior Jessica Monteserrato dished out 12 assists and junior Danielle Senecal collected 12 digs.

Potsdam 3, SJC 2

An epic first set saw the Golden Eagles go up 22-14, but a 10-2 run by the Bears saw them knot the set up at 24 before winning the extended frame by the score of 31-29.

SJC would take a 25-20 loss in the second set before returning the favor in the third set with a 25-20 victory of its own. In the fourth set, with the score tied up at 20, St. Joseph's compiled a 5-0 run--capped off by a Potsdam attack error-- to win 25-20 and force a third set.

Down 10-4, the Golden Eagles scooped up the next seven points to pull ahead 11-10. SJC would hold additional leads (13-11, 14-12 and 15-14), but in the end it was Potsdam that won the final points to earn 17-15 and 3-2 wins.

Senior Morgan Tiska led all players with a career-best 23 kills in a match that saw SJC record a season-best 63 kills. Urizzo contributed 15 kills and freshman Kaitlin Williams went for 10.

Monteserrato (35 assists) and freshman Brionna Silva (22 assists) split setting duties for St. Joseph's, and Urizzo (34 digs), Kristen Bohnenblusch (26 digs), Keilly Estacuy (20 digs) and Senecal powered a defense that was credited with 123 total digs.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Wednesday, September 20 when they host Hunter College in a non-conference contest inside the Danzi Center at 7:00 pm. Live video and stats will be available here.