NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The College of Saint Rose dropped a pair of non-conference matches today on the campus of Southern Connecticut State. The Golden Knights were upended by Chestnut Hill 3-1 in the day's opening match, followed a straight set victory by the host Owls in the finale.
Saint Rose received 13 kills from sophomore outside hitter
Juliana Venduro and 10 kills from junior outside hitter
Jessica Vargas in the first match of the afternoon. Junior setter
Valeria Jorge also recorded a career-best 34 assists in the setback.Â
Trailing 21-16 in the first set, sophomore outside hitter
Julia Cavalcanti's service turn helped Saint Rose win five consecutive points to bring the action even. The two squads would battle to 25-25, before Chestnut Hill claimed the final two points to take the frame 27-25.
The Golden Knights bounced back to win set number two, 25-17, with the Saint Rose attack totaling 14 kills on a .314 swing percentage in the second.Â
The Griffins jumped back ahead after taking a back-and-forth third set by the score of 28-26. The Golden Knights held a 24-22 advantage in the third, but Chestnut Hill won three straight points to flip the pressure back to Saint Rose. A kill by Venduro kept the Golden Knights alive at 26-26, however senior outside hitter McKayla Grimes registered the final two points of the set to give Chestnut Hill a 2-1 lead in the match.
Chestnut Hill closed out the victory after limiting the Saint Rose offense to a .000 swing rate in the fourth frame. Grimes led all players with 16 kills for the Griffins (1-1).Â
The Golden Knights were swept by Southern Connecticut State in the final match of the day, with a stout Owl defense generating 10 blocks while holding Saint Rose to a -.082 strike percentage.Â
Vargas and Calvacanti led Saint Rose with four kills each in the finale. Senior outside hitter Gabriela Gaibur and junior outside hitter Sara Enright led Southern Connecticut State with 12 and 10 kills, respectively.Â
Looking forward, Saint Rose returns to Nolan Gymnasium to host Post University on Tuesday at 6:00 pm.
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