NEWARK, Dela. - Southern Connecticut volleyball fell to Wilmington University, 3-2, in a five-set battle in their final match of the 2024 Wildcat Invitational in Newark, Delaware. The Owls dropped to an overall record of 1-6, while the Wildcats improved to an overall record of 3-3.
In the first set, the Owls took the first set with a close scoreline of 28-26 over the Wildcats. In the second set, Wilmington bounced back with momentum as they won the set, 25-15. In the third set, Southern responded with determination as they won 25-16, to take a 2-1 set lead. In the fourth set, Wilmington edged out the Owls, 26-24, to send the match to a fifth and final set. Much as the rest of the match, it was a competitive, back and forth swing between the two teams; however, the Wildcats got the victory with a scoreline of 15-10.
Freshman
Julia Jaworowski led the team with a career-best of 14 kills, as fellow freshman
Katie Bardak matched her career-best of kills with 13. Graduate student
Raegen Emery continued her double-double streak as she recorded 12 digs and 11 kills, marking her third double-double as an Owl.
Freshman
Jalie Miller recorded her first double-double of her career, as she had a career-high of 17 digs and a career-high of 10 assists. Sophomore
Madi Roar led the team in assists with 23 while
Lily Miller had 17 assists. For service aces,
Lily Miller led the team with three as sophomore
Victoria Pascual and
Jalie Miller recorded two aces; this was a career-high for Pascual. Sophomore
Sarah Stark posted a season-best of five blocks as Emery and freshman
Isabel Alvarez each had three blocks for the Owls; marking a career-best for Alvarez.
At the conclusion of the 2024 Wildcat Regional Invitational Tournament, one player from each team was nominated by coaches to the All-Tournament team. Freshman
Julia Jaworowski was named to the All-Tournament team for Southern Connecticut.
The Owls return to action in Winter Park, Florida for the 2024 Rollins College Invitational. On Friday, Sept. 20, they will face Trevecca Nazarene at 10:00 a.m., then play Millersville University at 2:00 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 21, Southern will face Lynn University at 9:00 a.m. then finish with a match against host, Rollins College at 2:00 p.m. The Owls will continue their road trip at Dominican University of New York at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, before returning to Pelz Gym on Saturday, Sept. 28 in a non-conference match against Caldwell University at 11:00 a.m.
