DANBURY, Conn. - Senior
Julia Stoliker (Red Hook, N.Y.) led all players with 13 kills and added a match-high 26 digs (including her 1,000th career marker) as the WestConn women's volleyball squad cruised past the University of Saint Joseph, 3-1 (25-15, 25-17, 20-25, 27-25), on Tuesday night at Stephen Feldman Arena.
The hosts seized the first two sets by controlling the second half of each. In the opener, the teams were tied at 14-14 before Stoliker kept the Wolves in front with a kill off freshman Kyra Courtemanche's (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) set. Rookie Sadie Casella (Marlboro, N.Y.) then served six straight points, including an ace, and WestConn led 21-14 on its way to a 25-15 win.
The second set was tight until late. Graduate student Taylor Thompson (West Point, N.Y.) closed it with a six-point serving run, including aces on the last two points, to turn a 17-19 deficit into a 25-17 win.
Saint Joseph rallied to win the third set. The Blue Jays opened a 10-3 lead behind a four-point run on Alyssa Dugas' serve that included two aces. The Wolves hit .191 in the fourth set and Courtemanche kept the offense moving. Casella opened up a 10-6 lead with three aces in a four-point run, and WestConn led 19-15 later in the set. Saint Joseph came back to force extra points, but the Wolves maintained their composure to come away with a 27-25 victory.
Thompson finished with 12 kills and two aces. Sophomore Sophia Siruchek (Campbell Hall, N.Y.) recorded 12 kills, and first-year Natalyse Cuza (Flushing, N.Y.) added nine shots to the floor. Courtemanche finished with 33 assists. Casella had six aces and 19 digs, while senior Ali Rondeau (Carmel, N.Y.) chipped in with 13 digs. WestConn hit .137 for the match with 53 kills and had a 9-7 edge in aces.
Saint Joseph was led by Sienna Martin's 11 kills while Gabriella Wanner had 19 assists. Alyssa Dugas notched 21 digs, and Jetzabelle Rivera Diaz connecting on a trio of aces.
With the win, WestConn improves to 4-14 overall. Saint Joseph falls to 8-11 overall. The Wolves return to action when they head to Little East Conference foe UMass Dartmouth on Saturday at 5 p.m.
