MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The No. 19 volleyball team hit the road Friday afternoon traveling to open up NESCAC play at No. 17 Wesleyan. Despite 14 kills from
Christine Audette the Jumbos played three close sets but fell, 3-0.
In a close match between two top-20 teams, two of the three sets were decided by just two points (25-21, 25-23, 26-24). The Jumbos fall to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in NESCAC play with the loss. Wesleyan improves to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference matches.
Wesleyan jumped out to a lead in the first set and held on to that for a majority of the set. Up by eight, 19-11, the Jumbos started a comeback and scored three consecutive points thanks to a kill from
Rileigh Farragher, an ace from Jenelle Yarwood and a kill from
Christine Audette. But a service error gave the Cardinals a point and they held on for a 25-21 win in set one.
The Jumbos took the lead in the second set and held on to that for a bit. Down by four, 19-15, the Cardinals scored five consecutive points thanks to two kills from Michelle Jorba, a kill from Mariko Tanaka and a couple of Jumbo errors. After a Jumbo kill from Audette, Wesleyan scored for more points and picked up the 25-23 win in set two.
After the Jumbos opened up scoring in the third set with a couple of points the Cardinals answered with five of their own to take a 5-2 lead. They would hold on to that lead for most of the set. Down by seven, 24-17, the Jumbos put up a fight and scored six straight points to stay alive. Audette turned in a kill and two aces in that span to help the Jumbos come within one, 24-23. But, Wesleyan held on for the 26-24 win in the third set to take the match.
Audette led the Jumbos with 14 kills and three service aces.
Maya Lightfoot turned in 11 kills while Yarwood finished with seven kills.
Stephanie Lee led the defensive efforts, finishing with 14 digs while Zoe Gregor turned in ten. Gregory and
Ella Norris ran the offense, finishing with 21 and 13 assists, respectively.
Jorba was the kill leader with 14 for the Cardinals, and she also added five blocks. Sophia Lindus added seven kills and eight digs. Jenna Otaola and Grace Dennis each finished with 11 digs. Dennis also added 25 assists to her night
The Jumbos are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Trinity for a 1 pm start with the Bantams. Wesleyan plays on Saturday when they travel to Keene State to take on the Owls at 3:30 pm and Johnson and Wales at 1 pm.
