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QU Women's Volleyball Comeback Falls Short to Rider, 3-1
10/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
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Hamden, Conn. – The Quinnipiac women's volleyball team's comeback-bid fell short against the Rider Broncs as the Bobcats dropped a 3-1 decision in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match-up at Burt Kahn Court. The game was the annual Dig Pink Event for the volleyball program to raise awareness and money for breast cancer awareness. With the loss, Quinnipiac drops to 0-13 in MAAC play while Rider improves to 7-4 in the conference.
The Bobcats snapped a 19-set losing streak with a win in the third set to cut Riders' lead in half. The Bobcats had a lead late in the fourth set, but could not hold off the Bronce. After falling in the first set, Quinnipiac mounted a comeback in the second set, erasing an 11-7 deficit before tying the set at 17-17. With the match tied at 23, Rider was able to score the final two points on a kill and an attack error to take the set. In the third set, Quinnipiac jumped out to a 17-12 lead and were able to hold off the Rider attack as they won 25-22, to end their 19-set drought. It looked like the fourth set would be Quinnipiac's as well as the Bobcats roared ahead to take a 14-8 lead. However, Rider would go on a run which included seven points in a row to knock off Quinnipiac in the fourth set 25-20.
Senior Tanner Celestin (Norco, Calif.) had one of her best game of the season as she led the Bobcats with 13 kills – her most since Aug. 29 when she totaled 15 against Lafayette. Celestin was a huge force all over the court for the Bobcats, leading the team with three service aces and finishing second on the team with seven digs.
Freshman Cheyenne Orsi (Bristol, Conn.) continued her big weekend with another great performance. Orsi led the Bobcats with four blocks but was also a big factor for the offense finishing second for the Bobcats in kills with 10. Over her past three games Orsi has compiled 27 kills and nine blocks while being a strong presence around the net for Quinnipiac.
It was another big day for Bobcats' freshman setter Sierra Dawson (Larkspur, Calif.). With 41 assists in the match Dawson once again led Quinnipiac in assists and for the third time this season, had a game with over 40 assists. The last time Dawson had over forty assists came on Sept. 24th against Fairleigh Dickinson where she totalled 45 in a 3-2 Bobcats win.
Another freshman, Nicole Millilo ( Lynbrook, N.Y.) had a very good game for Quinnipiac, leading the team defensively with 10 digs. Playing in the libero position for the first time since September, Milillo played solid defense while continuing her fine season from the service line with two more service aces. Milillo now has 27 this season and only trails sophomore Katie Urycki (Chesterton, Ind.) for the team lead. Urycki currently has 28 service aces adding two more in the match against Rider.
The Bobcats return to action this Tuesday night at Burt Kahn Court as the play the Hartford Hawks in a non-conference matchup. The Bobcats played the Hawks earlier this year on the road falling to the Hawks on Sept. 28th by the score of 3-0. The Bobcats will then play another big conference game on Saturday Nov. 1st as they take on conference and in-state rival Fairfield at home at 1 p.m. This will be a game not only for a precious conference win, but also state bragging rights. Fairfield bested Quinnipiac on Sept. 27th by the score of 3-0 and Quinnipiac will look to avenge that loss.
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