The College of Staten Island women’s volleyball team took to their home court tonight against Mt. St. Mary College. The Dolphins came into tonight’s match feeling confident as they were just coming off of a win against Old Westbury. CSI however, would fall in straight sets to Mt. St. Mary to fall to 4-9 overall while the Knights improved to 9-13 overall.
The Knights were able to quickly jump out to a 4-1 lead over the Dolphins, a streak that ended with a service ace. The Dolphins were able to battle back within two points of the Knights before they once again pulled away. Siobhan Granich would secure a kill for the Dolphins and then force the Knights to have an attacking error to hand the Dolphins two consecutive points. The Dolphins however, would hand the ball right back after another attacking error of their own.
CSI has beaten themselves at some points this season and tonight was one of them as they committed seven errors in the first game while only collected five kills.
Headed into the second set the Dolphins were determined to turn the match around and tie it up at one. Once again the Knights would jump out in front but when the Dolphins got a hold of the ball they would make sure they wouldn’t give it back without gaining a lead. Vanessa Reyes served seven times in a row, securing three straight service aces. The streak led to Mt. St. Mary calling a timeout to try and cool off the red hot Dolphins.
The timeout seemed to be used properly as the tide turned and the Knights were able to knot it up at 13. Jessica Cafiero would strike back and secure two aces to once again give her team the lead. CSI has held the lead in quite a few matches this season only to see them slip away in the waning moments. That unfortunately happened again tonight as down the stretch, CSI led by three the whole way until well placed shots by the Knights and a couple attacking errors by the Dolphins led to the Knights taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
CSI refused to throw in the towel after finding themselves behind 2-0 in the match. The Dolphins were locked into long rallies with the Knights with Victoria Wong being called upon several times to make point saving digs. Skenderjie Mila would be the one to tie the game up at eight with a pair of service aces. The Knights would go on a 4-0 run to take a 18-11 lead over the Dolphins after Mila committed two attacking errors.
The women made a late rally, bringing the score within just five but it was too late for a comeback as an attacking error once again led the CSI dropping the set.
CSI will return to action on Monday, October 10 where they will participate in a CUNYAC tri-match hosted at the CSI Sports & Rec Center against Medgar Evers College and Brooklyn College starting at 12:00 pm.
