NEWARK, NJ – The Saint Peter's University women's volleyball team played in a highly competitive three set match against in-state foe NJIT on Tuesday night, but ultimately fell in straight sets (23-25, 21-25, 20-25) at the Wellness and Events Center in Newark, NJ.
The Basics
Score: Saint Peter's 0, NJIT 3
Records: Saint Peter's (0-4) | NJIT (1-0)
Location: Wellness and Events Center | Newark, NJ
Match Notes
- An instant duel right out of first serve, the two New Jersey institutions went score for score the entire first game with three points being the largest separation either side gained.
- Down 14-13, Saint Peter's pieced together four straight points by way of a double block (Angeleyshka Curbelo and Suzzanne Bigelow), and three consecutive kills (Alanis Alvarado and two by Bigelow), giving SPU a three-point cushion.
- Later on in the set, the Peacocks broke another tie (18-18), taking advantage of three errors by the Highlanders to go ahead by three again.
- With ties at 21, 22, and 23, the set seemed like no team would grab the advantage until NJIT hit back-to-back kills for the win.
- The first game ended up featuring 16 ties and nine lead changes.
- Not much changed early on in the second set as the two sides resumed the exchange of scoring.
- A kill by Wildalys Soto would put SPU up 6-5, the first time in the set, but the match would remain in a back and forth affair from that point until finding themselves down 20-19.
- The Highlanders rattled off five, compared to the Peacocks two, taking the set 25-21.
- In the third set, SPU was destined to push for a comeback, jumping ahead 5-1 -- its largest lead of the night -- right out of the break.
- The lead remained in favor of the Peacocks for the bulk of the game, but late in the frame the team would relinquish the lead by being outscored 6-1 down the final stretch of the match, dropping the set 25-20.
Inside the Numbers
- Although Saint Peter's dropped the match, the Peacocks held match advantages in kills (38-35), assists (32-28), digs (34-30), and were leveled in blocks (7-7).
- SPU also recorded its best attack percentage of the season, logging a .186 percentage.
- For the third straight match, Alvarado was the team leader in kills, finishing her night with a game-high 12.
- Curbelo followed with nine kills and Stephanie Rivera posted four to round out the top strikers.
- Graduate setter Soto led the Peacocks by handing out 29 assists.
- Alvarado and Alwen Pila both recorded nine digs, while Curbelo came away with six digs.
- Bigelow, the MAAC blocks leader, kept her tear going by accounting for four blocks in the match.
- As a result of the defeat, SPU fell to 0-7 all-time when meeting NJIT in Newark.
Coach's Quotes – Joe Chojnacki
- "We were much better tonight offensively, which I am very happy with, unfortunately our pass and serve game still is not where it needs to be."
- "Alanis and Angeleyshka both played very well again for us tonight."
Up Next
- The squad heads out of state to Loretto, PA for the Red Flash Classic on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 3-4.
- SPU will meet Saint Francis University, Georgetown, and Delaware State in the multi-team tournament.
