By: Valentina Toro
Managing Editor
The university women’s volleyball team struggled to maintain its early leads Oct. 20, falling 3-1 to American International College in a NE10 Conference matchup at Pelz Gymnasium.
The Owls fall short despite leading early in three sets. The university showed defensive intensity but committed costly errors that prevented it from finishing close stretches of the match.
“I think we came out with a lot of energy, and we had some really good moments, but I think it was just really up and down, and in the end, we just couldn’t close,” setter Kimi Mitchell, a sophomore, said.
The university opened the first set with a 9-3 advantage behind Libero Alyssa Ferreira’s serving and consecutive blocks. AIC recovered with a 10-3 run, before taking the set.
Head Coach Lisa Barbaro said the university’s mistakes at critical points made the difference in an otherwise competitive match.
“I just think it was a lot of unforced errors at some crucial points in the match,” Barbaro said. “We struggled to get out of certain rotations, and that was the difference.”
Outside hitter Kerrigan Habing, a junior, delivered three consecutive service aces during a five-point surge that tied the score at 16 in their second set.
Right side hitter Sydney Bennett, a graduate, finished the set with back-to-back kills, giving the Owls its only set victory.
Habing led with 15 kills and 15 digs, while Bennett contributed nine kills and five blocks. Mitchell recorded 36 assists, six kills and seven digs.
Barbaro said the team’s serving showed improvement, although missed opportunities still affected the result.
“I think we were more consistent and aggressive with it,” Barbaro said. “It was just the timeliness of sometimes when we miss those serves.”
Mitchell said the team’s desire to avenge its previous loss to AIC added pressure when points became especially important.
“We just didn’t respond well as far as closing out in tough moments when the score is close,” Mitchell said.
The university’s ability to challenge a strong conference opponent offered encouragement, but its late-set execution remained an issue.
With four matches remaining, The Owls faced an important stretch in its pursuit of a favorable conference finish and potential postseason opportunity.
Barbaro emphasized concentrating on the next opponent rather than looking ahead to a possible rematch.
“We have to just regroup and refocus,” Barbaro said. “We have lofty goals of the season of winning a championship and all that. But really, we gotta get it done one day at a time.”
