Mitchell Earns Win In Volleyball Opener

The Mitchell College women’s volleyball team earned a 3-0 victory in a home game against Saint Joseph College on Wednesday. The following information was provided by David Longolucco, sports information director at Mitchell College: 

Mitchell (2-1 overall) won by final scores of 25-21, 25-22 and 25-18. Senior Bianca Young (Bridgeport, Conn./Kolbe Cathedral) led all players with seven kills while freshman Nicole Terni (Ledyard, Conn./Montville) added a match-high 12 assists to pace the Mariners.

In the opening set, Mitchell rushed out to a big lead behind the serve of senior Brittany Zaccaria (White Plains, N.Y./Maria Regina). She served for six straight points—including five aces—to put the Mariners in front 11-3.

Saint Joseph (1-6 overall) rallied back, however, to lead 21-20 before Mitchell ran off six of the final seven points to take the set. Junior Kendra Erskine (Bronx, N.Y./Saint Raymond) served for four straight points during the stretch while sophomore Gloria Charles (New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse) came up with a huge block to set up match point.

The Blue Jays trailed 17-15 in the second set when Jessica Patrizi (Beacon Falls, Conn./Woodland, Reg.) served for four straight points to put her team ahead 19-17. The Mariners rallied to tie the score at 22-22 and closed out the set on three straight service points by Terni, who finished with four aces in the contest.

Junior Arianna Thomas (Fresno, Calif./Clovis West) put the Mariners ahead early in the final set, serving for six points to stake Mitchell to an 8-2 lead that it would never relinquish. The Blue Jays would pull to within 16-13 but would get no closer.

Jen Braun (Bloomfield, Conn./Northwest Catholic) and Marie DiPinto (Burlington, Conn./Lewis Mills) each finished with four kills to lead Saint Joseph. Patrizi recorded a team-high five assists while Elizabeth Tuazon (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) added a match-high 10 digs.

Mitchell held a 16-7 edge in service aces. Zaccaria led all players with five aces and also added a team-high seven digs.

Mitchell will next play a doubleheader on Saturday, September 17 at Albertus Magnus College. The Mariners will take on Norwich University at 3 p.m. and Albertus Magnus at 5 p.m. Saint Joseph returns to action at Curry College on Saturday in doubleheader action. The Blue Jays take on Curry at 1 p.m. and Eastern Nazarene College at 3 p.m.