WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University volleyball team completed a comeback and defeated the University of New Haven, 3-2, at Charger Gymnasium. The win at New Haven is the first time SCSU has defeated UNH on the road in the all-time series between these programs, which dates back to 1978. The Owls improved to 21-8 overall and 7-3 in the Northeast 10, while the Chargers fell to 18-7 overall and 8-2 in the NE10.

Graduate students Abigail Epstein (Crystal River, Fla.) and Gabriela Vazquez (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico), and junior Gabriela Gaibur (Monroe, N.Y.) were behind the Owls' arsenal. Epstein swung for .405 and led the team in kills with 17 and added four blocks. Vazquez notched 15 kills, 14 digs and four blocks. Gaibur recorded 13 kills, 14 digs and added two service aces. Sophomore Taylor Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) continued her streak of solid play making with 52 assists, 11 digs, three kills, a service aces and a block. Rookie Libero Krishnalei So'oto (Oceanside, Calif.) was solid on the defensive end with 23 digs, while chipping in four service aces on the offense.
 

How It Happened

• The first set saw a tug-o-war between both sides for the lead, but the Chargers snagged the opener. 
• The Chargers jumped out to a 11-4 lead in the second set. SCSU attempted a comeback, but only was able to come within five points of UNH's lead. New Haven went on to win the set by 10 points.
• SCSU found life in the third set and collected four of the first six points scored. The Owls led for the entire set until the Chargers tied it at 22. Southern responded by scoring three of the final four points to capture a set three victory.
• The rivals started the fourth set with a flurry of points on both sides. With Southern up 9-8, the Owls went on an 8-1 run to separate themselves from New Haven. The Chargers tried to chip away at the Owls lead, but their strong run midway through the set was the difference. 
• The fifth and final set was as intense as the four prior. Both sides continued their push-and-pull efforts and traded points. Southern carried its momentum from the prior two set victories to power through and finish on a 7-2 that secured their 3-2 victory. 
   

Player Notes

• Gabriela Gaibur recorded her 17th double-double of the season with 13 kills and 14 digs. Gaibur also picked up her 20th game this season with at least 10 kills.
• Taylor Jones has recorded double-digit assists in every single one of her 26 appearances this season.
• Jones now has 21 games this season with at least 20 assists and 14 games with at least 30 assists.
• Jones now has five 50-assist games this season. She ties Tea Carter's 2018 record for most 50-assist games in a season.
• Krishnalei So'oto has at least one service ace in her last six games this season. 
• Jones now has 21 games this season with at least 20 assists.
• Gabriela Vazquez notched her fourth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 14 digs.
• Krishnalei So'oto tallied her 21st game this season with double-digit digs and her 8th with at least 20 digs 
• So'oto tied a career-high in service aces with four. Her career-high was originally set against Stonehill on Oct. 5, 2021 and tied against Saint Anselm on Oct. 30. 

Team Notes

• This was SCSU's first win on the road at the University of New Haven in its all-time series of road games with the Chargers.
• This was the Owls' first comeback from down two sets since Nov. 17, 2017 against Saint Anselm in the 2017 NE10 Semifinals, which was hosted by UNH at Charger Gymnasium.
• This was just the fourth five-set game the Owls have played this season.

Up Next 
The Owls host Assumption University on Saturday, Nov. 6 as Pelz Gymnasium.