Volleyball Rallies to Defeat Southern Connecticut, 3-1
Box Score
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Sept. 17, 2013) - Down one set to none, the LIU Post volleyball team battled back to take the next three, and earn a 3-1 triumph versus Southern Connecticut State on Tuesday night at Pelz Gymnasium in New Haven, Conn. Senior middle hitter Susy Cricchi (Borgovelino, Rieti, Italy) posted 12 kills and a .385 attack percentage in the victory.
After losing a tight first game (28-26) that went to extra points, the Pioneers (6-2) subsequently turned the tables on the Owls (5-2) for the rest of the contest. In the second set, LIU Post capitalized on early SCSU errors for a quick 4-0 cushion. From there, Cricchi took over, tallying four kills and a block, en route to a 25-13 triumph.
Trailing 5-3 in the third set, the visitors used a 15-5 run to grab an eight-point advantage (18-10), and never looked back from there. Cricchi and junior middle blocker Heather Adams (Centerville, Ohio) tied things up with back-to-back kills. Freshman outside hitter Shelby McCool (Eugene, Ore.) later added three kills in the come-from-behind effort.
Lastly, in the fourth set, LIU Post led by a slim 15-14 margin, until an 8-2 spurt secured the Pioneers' victory, and closed out a three-week road swing on a high note. Adams led the way, punching down three kills. Junior setter Lulu Centro (Rome, Italy) dished out four of her match-best 46 assists in the burst.
Adams finished the match with a team-high 13 kills. McCool contributed a double-double (15 digs, 11 kills). Senior middle blocker Makamae Namahoe (Hilo, Hawaii) totaled 17 digs and seven kills. Sophomore middle hitter Melissa Hansen (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added nine kills. Sophomore libero Rachel Ringor (Honolulu, Hawaii) had 32 digs, which paced all players.
Head Coach Shellane Ogoshi and her LIU Post squad return to the court Saturday (Sept. 21), when they host a tri-match against Roberts Wesleyan and Shepherd, as part of their 2013 home opener in Brookville, N.Y. First serve from the Pratt Recreation Center is set for noon.