NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Junior Nekane Mendizabal (Stratford, Conn.) recorded a team season-high 19 kills on Friday night, but the Southern Connecticut State University volleyball team dropped a tightly contested match to Assumption, 3-1, in Northeast-10 Conference play at Pelz Gymnasium. Assumption won the first two games 30-26 and 30-28, respectively. The Owls bounced back with a 31-29 triumph in the third game before the Greyhounds closed things out, 30-26, in the fourth game. The loss drops SCSU to 9-15 (2-6 NE-10) while Assumption improves to 11-5 (4-4 NE-10) with the victory.

In addition to Mendizabal, junior Ashley Coombs helped lead the SCSU offense with a team-best 20 assists. Coombs also led the defensive efforts with 17 digs, while freshman Robin Priest (Cheshire, Conn.) and junior Maria Arenas (Stratford, Conn.) chipped in 16 and 14 digs, respectively. Mendizabal also picked up a match-high eight blocks (three solo) on the evening.

For Assumption, Jenna Costin and Jessica Haller teamed up to lead the attack, as each posted a match-best 20 kills. It was Marilisa Strand who set them up all evening to tally a match-high 57 assists, which marked the most assists recorded by one player against SCSU so far this season. Lauren Raswyck keyed the Greyhound defense with a match-best 38 digs.

The Owls return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 5, when they visit Nyack for a tri-match. SCSU will face Wilmington at 3 p.m. before taking on the host Warriors at 5 p.m.