The College of Staten Island women’s volleyball team battled back after losing the first two games this evening to the College of Mount Saint Vincent, but ultimately fell to the visiting Dolphins in four games, 3-1, in non-conference play at the Sports & Recreation Center this evening.  MSV prevailed by scores of 25-17, 25-14, 20-25, and 25-19.  CSI fell to 5-4 overall, while MSV lifted their overall mark to 3-8.

The theme of the first two games for CSI was falling into a hole early.  The Dolphins fell behind 7-0 before a Pola Poskrobko kill got CSI on the board in the first game, but the visiting Dolphins never let up, at one point opening up a 10-point lead on an Ashleigh Scozzari kill, part of 15 for her on the evening.  MSV went on to win the opener, 25-17.

In the second stanza, MSV got off to an even bigger, 8-0, edge, highlighted by a pair of Scozzari kill and a Nicole Henderson service ace.  MSV was in full control later with a 20-9 lead.  CSI would rally to score five of the next 9 points, spearheaded by a Selma Kolenovic kill, but MSV was still able to cruise to a 25-14 win.

Then things started to turn for CSI.  The Dolphins used two MSV service errors and then an ace by Brittany Minondo to open up a 5-2 lead, and later, CSI led by as many as six, 13-7, highlighted by a Jonaldy Edouard kill and Victoria Wong ace.  MSV closed to within 16-15, but CSI pulled ahead for good with five of the next eight points, ultimately winning, 25-20.

In what would be the final set, CSI did start off well, leading by a 13-9 score at one point, led by two aces each from Minondo and Poskrobko.  But MSV would come back, and used a pivotal 6-1 run to take a 15-14 lead that they would never give up.  A Maria Leineweber ace put MSV up, 19-16, and later, a Zana Daluz kill iced the game, 25-19.

CSI was led by Poskrobko and Kolenovic’s eight kills apiece.  Minondo chalked up four aces, while Wong led the way with 13 digs.  For MSV, Scozzari had 15 kills on 34 attempts, adding a team high 14 digs.  Henderson led all scorers with 26 assists and five aces as well.

CSI will next be in action for a non-conference tri-match on Saturday.  They will travel to St. Joseph’s College of Long Island for a 10am meeting with the hosts, followed by a 12pm tilt with Newbury College.