ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose women's volleyball team earned its first win of the 2010 campaign behind a 3-1 (27-25, 17-25, 25-22, 25-15) non-conference victory over visiting Nyack College in its home-opener tonight at the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. In the process, the Golden Knights improved to 9-3 in home-openers under the direction of 12th-year head coach Brian Goodale.

Saint Rose (1-3) received a pair of solid defensive performances from freshman defensive specialist Christina Strezenec and junior outside hitter Sarah Kahrs. Strezenec finished two shy of her season-high with 17 digs, but established another season-best with six aces. Kahrs wound up with 15 digs and 12 kills.

Junior middle hitter Chelsea Tyler also had an impact for the Golden Knights with eight kills and seven blocks.

The Warriors (0-1), who were playing their 2010 season-opener this evening, received “double-double” performances from sophomore outside hitter Tawnie Savage and junior outside hitter Moana Masoniai. Savage finished with 14 kills and 12 digs, while Masoniai contributed 14 digs and 10 kills.

Nyack knotted things 1-1 and found itself up six, 17-11, midway through the third set when Saint Rose mounted a comeback that proved to be pivotal. The Golden Knights embarked on an 11-3 run to take a 22-20 lead and never trailed again. Senior outside hitter Kelly Ryan finished things off with one of her four blocks in the match to put Saint Rose up 2-1.

The Golden Knights then raced out to a 9-3 edge in the fourth set and took advantage 10 attack errors by the Warriors to seal things.

Up ahead, Saint Rose heads to the NE-10/Mid-Atlantic Challenge that is being hosted by American International College this Friday and Saturday. The Golden Knights play four matches beginning with a 4:00 pm meeting versus East Stroudsburg that precedes a 6:00 pm encounter with Dominican. Nyack returns to action tomorrow when the Warriors welcome Post University for a 7:00 pm non-league affair. 

Box Score