DOVER, DE – The Saint Peter's University women's volleyball team fell in straight sets (18-25, 16-25, 16-25) to Delaware State in the season opener on Friday afternoon at Memorial Hall in Dover, Delaware.
The Basics
Score: Saint Peter's 0, Delaware State 3
Records: Saint Peter's (0-1) | Delaware State (1-0)
Location: Memorial Hall | Dover, DE
Match Notes
- Saint Peter's never led in the opening set of the day, falling behind in the match 1-0 after a 25-18 first set score.
- Stephanie Rivera was the offensive spark in the set for the Peacocks, accounting for five kills -- the most kills by any Peacock in any set during the match.
- The second set was a back and forth affair, as no team gained any real advantage through the midpoint of the set.
- Falling behind 3-1 to begin the frame, SPU scored four out of the set's next five points to take a 5-4 lead.
- Angeleyshka Curbelo was the focal point of the rally, being responsible for three of the four Peacock points (two blocks and one kill).
- The two teams continued to exchange points, recording seven ties and three lead changes before the match was deadlocked at 12-12.
- That would prove to be the final tie of the frame, as Del St. would go on a 13-4 run to take the second 25-16.
- In the third and final set, a slow start by the Peacocks led to an early 13-5 hole.
- The deficit proved to be too much to overcome and SPU suffered a 25-16 third set loss to end the match.
Inside the Numbers
- Setter Wildalys Soto paced the offense with a team-high 10 assists, followed by rookie Jayden Easingwood's eight in her collegiate debut.
- Rivera was one kill shy of double figures, ending her day with a team-leading nine successful attacks.
- Alanis Alvarado and Curbelo each posted five kills to follow Rivera.
- Defensively, the libero duo of sophomore Alwen Pila and freshman Charlee Cordts both logged six digs each, while Alvarado added five digs.
- Freshman middle blocker, Suzzanne Bigelow was a force at the net, earning two block solo and two block assists for a game-high 4.0 total blocks.
Coach's Quotes – Joe Chojnacki
- "Obviously a disappointing way to start but we saw some good things, particularly our Middles."
- "Stephanie Rivera played great and was really active at the net; Suzzanne Bigelow also did a great job blocking."
- "We have to serve tougher and serve receive better so that will be our focus tomorrow."
Up Next
- Saint Peter's will continue action in the DSU Hornet Invite tomorrow with two matches.
- At 11am, the Peacocks take on St. Francis Brooklyn and at 4:30pm the squad faces Bucknell.
