NEW BRITAIN, CT- The Saint Peter's Women's Volleyball team competed in a midweek non-conference match on the road on Tuesday. The Peacocks (2-3) fell to the CCSU Blue Devils (2-6) three sets to none.
Match Summary:
Sophomore Maliyah Labrie opened the match with a kill off an assist from MAAC Setter of the Week, freshman Danielle Caligiuri, but CCSU quickly responded, winning the next four points. The Peacocks fought back, tying the score at 5-5, but the Blue Devils regained control, extending their lead to seven at one point. Despite Saint Peter's efforts to close the gap, they couldn't bring the set back within five points. CCSU finished strong, securing the last three points, taking set one 25-20.
CCSU carried their momentum in set two, starting with three consecutive kills and winning the first four points. Saint Peter's responded with kills from senior Elena Bilhartz and freshman Valeria Krystal Pagan Munoz, an attack error by CCSU, and a service ace from Labrie, briefly taking a 6-5 lead. The teams traded points for the remainder of the set, with CCSU maintaining a slim lead, never more than two points ahead. A Blue Devils attack error tied the score at 20-20 and kills from freshman Skye Graham, and Labrie put the Peacocks ahead by two. However, a block by Lauren Milani and Kaylin Hadley, followed by a service ace from Larissa Hiemer, tied it up again. Graham's kill gave the Peacocks a one-point edge, but back-to-back attack errors brought CCSU to set point. A double block from Bilhartz and senior Penelope Rivera Morales tied the set at 25-25, but the Peacocks couldn't close it out, with CCSU taking set two 27-25.
Set three saw both teams exchanging points early on, with CCSU holding a small lead throughout the set. However, the Peacocks maintained a close gap and never trailed by more than four points. Despite fending off match point three times with back-to-back kills from Pagan Munoz and a double block from sophomore Karolina Rodriguez and Pagan Munoz, CCSU ultimately sealed the set 25-22, completing the sweep.
Inside the Numbers
- Bilhartz contributed five kills on 11 attempts, swinging .455. She also added two blocking assists.
- Labrie led the team with 11 kills.
- Graham notched eight kills 17 attempts, swinging .235.
- Sophomore setter Cleopatra Diakou tallied 18 assists.
- Freshman libero Lagean Colon led the team defensively with 15 digs.
