NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University volleyball team split a pair of matches against American International College and Wilmington University. The Owls fell to AIC, 3-1 before defeating Wilmington, 3-1 to close out the day. SCSU moved to 15-6 overall, while AIC improved to 13-6 overall, and Wilmington falls to 10-9.
Game 1: American International 3, Southern Connecticut 1
| Set Scores |
|
| Set 1: SCS 28, AIC 26 |
Set 3: AIC 25, SCS 16 |
| Set 2: AIC 25, SCS 16 |
Set 4: AIC 25, SCS 14 |
Gabriela Gaibur (Monroe, N.Y.) had a team-high 16 kills, while Abigail Epstein (Crystal River, Fla.) added 10 kills and two service aces. Krishnalei So'oto (Oceanside, Calif.) recorded a team-high 17 digs and two service aces, while Gabriela Vazquez (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico) had 15 digs. Taylor Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) had 36 assists and 12 digs.
How It Happened
- The Owls picked up a 28-point set one victory before surrendering three-straight sets.
Notes vs AIC
Game 2: Southern Connecticut 3, Wilmington 1
| Set Scores |
|
| Set 1: WIL 25, SCS 22 |
Set 3: SCS 25, WIL 16 |
| Set 2: SCS 25, WIL 16 |
Set 4: SCS 25, WIL 17 |
Sophomore
Kacey Deecher (Granby, Mass.) led the offensive charge for SCSU with 10 kills and 13 digs and chipped in one service ace. Sophomore
Taylor Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) recorded 27 assists, five digs, and one service ace. Sophomore
Krishnalei So'oto picked up 21 digs, while junior
Gabriela Gaibur (Monroe, N.Y.) picked up 18 digs. Graduate student
Abigail Epstein (Crystal River, Fla.) contributed 10 kills, four blocks, and six digs, while freshman
Lily Miller (Ottawa, Ill.) rounded out the setting for SCSU with 18 assists.
- Southern Connecticut and Wilmington were in a tug-o-war in the first set that saw the Owls suffer a 25-22 defeat. The Wildcats capped off the set with a 5-2 run that sealed the victory.
- Set two started out close, but the Owls used an 8-2 run midway through the set to increase their lead by eight points. Four of the eight points scored in the set came off the hands of Deecher and Erika Benson (Kings Park, N.Y.), while the remaining four points of the run were on Wilmington errors. Wilmington attempted a comeback with a 5-1 run of their own to catch the Owls, but SCSU was able to run away with a 25-16 victory in set two.
- SCSU and Wilmington started out the third set with back and forth efforts. With the set tied 11-11, the Owls put their foot on the gas and scored 16 of the last 21 points to sail to a 25-16 set three victory.
- The Owls came out charging in the final set of the game. After allowing the first point to Wilmington, SCSU went on a 5-0 run to gain the lead. Much like set three, with the score tied 15-15, SCSU scored 10 of the final 12 points to secure the 3-1 match victory at home.
Notes vs Wilmington
- Kacey Deecher recorded her first career double-double with career-highs in kills (10) and digs (13).
- Taylor Jones hit the 500-assist milestone against Wilmington with a 27-assist performance.
- Gabriela Gaibur recorded 17th double-digit dig game.
- Abigail Epstein recorded her 11th game with double-digit kills and her ninth game with multiple service aces.
- Epstein also recorded her 12th game with at least three blocks this season.
- Erika Benson recorded her 13th game this season with multiple blocks, and her seventh game with at least three blocks.
- Krishnalei So'oto recorded her third game this season with at least 20 digs.
- Jones has 13 games this season with at least 20 assists, and also has five double-doubles.
- Lily Miller tied her career-high with 18 assists (also done Oct. 8, 2021 against Saint Rose).
- Lillee Olson set a new season-high with eight kills.
Up Next
The Owls are set to host Mercy College on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Pelz Gymnasium.
