Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
 
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – The Southern Connecticut State University women's volleyball team began the season on a high note after defeating host Molloy College in four sets, 3-1, in game one of the Long Island Invitational on Friday evening. However, the Owls fell in game two to non-conference foe Chestnut Hill College in three straight sets, 3-0, and moved their record to 1-1 to start off the season.
 
MATCH 1: SCSU 3, Molloy 1
Set Scores: 25-23 (SCSU), 25-12 (SCS), 31-29 (MOL) and 25-18 (SCS)
 
In match one, three different Owls – Alexandra Nimz (Littleton, Colo.), Leanna Jadus (Long Beach, Calif.) and Gabriela Vazquez (Meriden, Conn.), registered their first double-doubles of the season in the win over the Lions. Nimz collected a team-high 16 assists and 11 digs to go along with her two service aces. Jadus finished the match with a team-high 17 points as well as tallied a team-high 15 kills, 10 digs, a service ace and two blocks. Vazquez recorded 11 kills, two assists, five service aces, a team-high 15 digs and a block assist.
 
Southern Connecticut and Molloy came out firing on all cylinders in set one as both teams led for no more than two points, until a service ace from Jadus put the Owls up three, 24-21. Molloy battled back to within one, 24-23, but a service error from the Lions gave the Owls the first set victory, 25-23.
 
Southern Connecticut continued to dominate on offense in set two as the visitors found themselves ahead by 10, 21-11, before taking a 2-0 lead heading into final frame. However, Molloy managed to stop the Owls in set three and forced a fourth set after securing the 31-29 win.
 
Despite losing set three, Southern Connecticut fought valiantly in the final frame and secured the season opener, 25-18.
 
MATCH 2: Chestnut Hill 3, SCSU 0
Set Scores: 25-23 (CNH), 25-16 (CNH) and 25-20 (CNH)
 
In match two, Vazquez recorded another double-double and now leads the team with two after recording 11 kills, 11 digs, four assists and three service aces. Nimz finished the match with a team-high 14 assists.
 
Southern Connecticut controlled the first half of set one by taking a 14-11 lead over Chestnut Hill. The Griffins came back tying the set, 22-22, before taking set one from the Owls, 25-23.
 
Chestnut Hill didn't stop there as the Griffins went on to defeat Southern Connecticut 25-16 in set two.
 
The final set of the match was similar to the first as both teams kept within reach of one another. Southern Connecticut battled back tying the game at 12-12, but was unable to tie Chestnut Hill or secure the lead before dropping the final frame, 25-20.

UP NEXT : The Owls return to action tomorrow, September 3, as the team takes on NYIT and Bloomfield College. Game times are set for 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. in Old Westbury, N.Y.