By Draven Dabrowski
Sports Writer
The Owls soared to victory at Pelz Gymnasium on Nov. 18, beating Saint Michael’s College 3-1, in their first playoff match since 2022.
The university executed their game plan, using pressure from the service line and disciplined defense to grab control of the match early.
“We really wanted to be able to serve them tough,” Barbaro said. “Their middles are very good, so we wanted to keep them out of system and try to control it on our side, and we did that very well.”
The university set the tone early, winning the first two sets by hitting .273 and .321.
Saint Michael’s responded in the third set. They capitalized on a brief dip in the Owls’ rhythm to extend the match. But the response from the university was emphatic.
In the fourth set, the Owls put down 14 kills while hitting .481. It was the cleanest frame of the match and allowed the Owls to close out the victory with complete control.
Much of that finish went through the connection between right side hitter Sydney Bennett, a senior, and setter Kimi Mitchell, a freshman, a duo that has grown into the university’s most reliable weapons despite being on opposite ends of their careers.
Their connection has been one of the team’s strongest anchors all season, but Barbaro said the duo is so effective not just because of their chemistry but their competitiveness.
“They want the ball in the tough moments,” Barbaro said. “They are ready to score; they are fearless. It is so great to watch them compete.”
Mitchell won NE10 Rookie of the Year. She said playing alongside Bennett in her senior year has been one of the most rewarding parts of her first collegiate season.
“I’m so happy I get to play with Syd,” Mitchell said. “She’s competitive like me. She is great at her job, and I love setting her and working with her.”
Bennett shares that love.
“Kimi is just like my little freshman,” Bennett said. “Every day in practice, she doesn’t play like an 18-year-old. She demands more of me, and I demand more of her.”
That dynamic reflects the chemistry running throughout the roster this season.
“We work hard every day, and we’re all great friends,” Mitchell said. “We love each other while working towards the same goal, and we get the job done together while having fun.”
For the Owls, the win represented everything they hoped for this season.
And on a night where the margins were thin and the postseason intensity was high, the university delivered the kind of performance that reflects what has carried them all season: resilience and sisterhood.
“It was a great team effort,” Barbaro said. “I’m really proud of this group, and it was great to see so many players step up when it mattered.”
The Owls lost to Bentley University in the semi final on Nov. 21.
