ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The College of Saint Rose started out strong only to fall 3-2 in non-conference action tonight at Roberts Wesleyan.
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The Golden Knights (4-9) won the first and third sets by a combined 23 points to take a 2-1 lead, but the Redhawks (1-13) rallied late in both the fourth and fifth sets to grab the victory.
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Senior middle blocker
Cassidy Smith and freshman middle blocker
Karleigh Fripp combined for 21 kills with only three errors throughout 47 swings to pace Saint Rose offensively. Freshman setter
Emma Strefling passed out 23 assists and recorded three assists, while junior libero
Gabriela Boyrie stood out defensively with a match high 23 digs. Smith and Fripp were also a force at the net with nine blocks collectively.
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Freshman outside hitter Sydney Yanek put down 17 kills to go along with three blocks and 12 digs to pace Roberts Wesleyan.
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The deciding set featured seven ties and four lead changes, before the Redhawks rattled off the last seven points to take the match. The final rally followed three consecutive Roberts Wesleyan attack errors that afforded Saint Rose a brief 9-8 lead.
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In the previous set, the Golden Knights rebounded from a pair of six point deficits at 10-4 and 16-10 to get to within three, 16-13, after freshman outside hitter
Jennah Kareem struck for three consecutive kills. However, the Redhawks countered with the next point to extend their advantage and then accounted for eight of the final 11 points to prolong the contest.
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Looking ahead, Saint Rose continues its stay in Western New York with a pair of matches at Daemen College tomorrow. The Golden Knights will take on D'Youville at 1:00 pm and face the host Wildcats at 3:00 pm.
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