SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Southern Connecticut volleyball team fell in five sets to Le Moyne College, 3-2, at Ted Grant Court. With the loss, the Owls fell to 10-7 overall and 0-2 in the Northeast 10, while the Dolphins improved to 5-5 overall and 1-0 in the NE10.

Set Scores
Set 1: SCS 25, LEM 17
Set 2: SCS 25, LEM 19
Set 3: LEM 25, SCS 21
Set 4: LEM 25, SCS 15
Set 5: LEM 15, SCS 12

Match Leaders
Taylor Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) had a solid performance for the Owls with 41 assists, 15 digs, five blocks, five aces, and three kills. Gabriela Gaibur (Monroe, N.Y.) led all players on the court with 20 kills and tacked on 14 digs and three aces. Kacey Deecher (Granby, Mass.) pitched a 14 kill, 11 dig performance and added three blocks and two service aces. Aubrey Villena (San Diego, Calif) recorded 17 digs as the Libero with two service aces. Sara Enright (Yorba Linda, Calif.) was another offensive contributor for the Owls with 10 kills and eight digs on defense.

How It Happened

• Southern started the first half of the game with a strong performance. Set one saw the Owls jump out to an 11-4 lead. Le Moyne used a 6-1 run to get back into it, 12-10. Southern grabbed 12 of the next 17 points to all but seal the opening set victory by eight.
• Le Moyne jumped out to a 10-7 lead to open set two, but Southern powered with six-straight points to take the lead by three.The Dolphins grabbed three of the next four points, but the Owls grabbed six of the next seven points and extended their lead to six. Both sides traded points, but Southern's push in the middle of the set was the difference and the Owls went up two sets-to-none.
• The Dolphins were on fire to start the third set and determined to get on the board. After grabbing the first point of the set, Le Moyne the whole way. The Owls came close at 19-18, but Le Moyne continued to press and warded the Owls; winning by four.
• Another strong set ensued for the Dolphins in the fourth as they hopped out to a 14-5 lead. Southern could only muster up 10 more points, but the Dolphins' offensive forces were hot and they took a 10-point victory.
• The final set seemed to be all Le Moyne as they started out on a 9-2 run. Southern fought their way back in and got as close as four points, but the Dolphins rallied on to complete the comeback.

Notes

• Taylor Jones recorded her 10th double-digit assist game of the season with 41 assists. This was her first 40-plus assist game this season and her third 30-plus assist game this season.
• Jones also tallied her fourth double-double (16th career) with 41 assists and 15 digs.
• Jones recorded a career-high five service aces. Her previous career-high was four against Molloy on Oct. 19, 2021.
• Jones also recorded a career-high five blocks (five block assists). Her previous career-high for both categories was four blocks against Stonehill on Nov. 13, 2021.
• Kacey Deecher had her third double-double of the season and the fourth of her career.
• Deecher also recorded a career-high 14 kills. Her previous career-high was 12 kills against Queens on Sept. 10, 2022.
• Gabriela Gaibur recorded her seventh double-double of the season (34th career) with 20 kills and 14 digs.
• Gaibur also notched her ninth double-digit dig game of the season.
• This was just the second five-set match for the Owls so far this season. 

Up Next
Southern continues its NE10 tour on Wednesday, Sept. 28 when the Owls travel to Worcester, Mass. to face Assumption University.