Salisbury University Sea Gulls women’s volleyball fell to the Christopher Newport Captains, 3-1, on Oct. 30 at the Freeman Center in Newport News, Virginia. Salisbury University won the opening set 25-23 before Christopher Newport captured the final three sets, 25-21, 25-22 and 25-18, in a Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference match.
Salisbury University entered the match with a 14-8 record, while Christopher Newport entered at 19-7. The Sea Gulls recorded 13 aces, their most in a match that season, but the Captains held advantages in hitting percentage, .238 to .114, and blocks, 9-3.
Salisbury University Sea Gulls Take the Opening Set
Salisbury University fell behind 3-0 in the first set before using a 6-0 run to take a 7-4 lead. Sophia Tapia capped the run with an ace, and Julie Altieri later added two aces as the Sea Gulls extended their advantage to 10-5.
Christopher Newport rallied to take a 16-14 lead, but Salisbury University tied the set at 16-16. After five more ties, Kiley McTaggart’s kill made it 21-21. Ellie Mitchell followed with a kill, and Kyra Douglass served an ace for a 23-21 lead before Tapia finished the set with a kill for a 25-23 Salisbury University victory.
Christopher Newport Captains Win Final Three Sets
The Captains opened the second set with six consecutive points to build a 10-4 lead. Christopher Newport later used an eight-point run to move ahead 20-8, but Salisbury University fought off seven set points and pulled within 24-21 after an Altieri ace. Avery Hanly ended the set with a kill, allowing the Captains to even the match.
The third set featured eight ties and five lead changes. Salisbury University held an 18-17 lead before a Samantha Dorn kill helped Christopher Newport move in front 20-18. The Sea Gulls closed within one point at 21-20, but the Captains scored four of the final six points and won the set 25-22 on a block by Hanly and Simara Alexander.
The teams were tied 11-11 in the fourth set before Christopher Newport scored five straight points for a 16-11 lead. Salisbury University answered with three consecutive points to cut the deficit to 16-14, but the Captains closed the match with a 6-2 run. Hanly’s ace finished the set at 25-18 and sealed the four-set victory.
Elizabeth Gordon Leads Salisbury University Attack
Elizabeth Gordon led Salisbury University with 14 kills while hitting .379 and adding one solo block. Sophia Tapia recorded 10 kills at a .471 hitting percentage, along with four aces, four digs and one solo block. Ellie Mitchell also had 10 kills, while Sadie Wilkinson added six.
Julie Altieri finished with 37 assists, 14 digs, four aces and two kills for her 10th double-double of the season and 59th of her career. Sophia Blaufuss led the Sea Gulls with 18 digs and added three assists, while Elizabeth Villegas had 11 digs.
Salisbury University was scheduled to face Washington & Lee on Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. inside the Freeman Center in Newport News. The Sea Gulls were also scheduled to face Regent on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Salisbury University’s 13 aces helped the Sea Gulls win the opening set, but Christopher Newport controlled the match with stronger hitting and a 9-3 blocking advantage. Gordon, Tapia and Mitchell led the Salisbury University attack, while Altieri contributed 37 assists, 14 digs, four aces and two kills.
Source: Original report
