By Thomas Albanese,QBSN Staff Writer
The Quinnipiac’s women’s volleyball squad lost its seventh consecutive match today against the Pioneers of Sacred Heart University. The team failed to win a set for the sixth straight time, falling 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-15).
Ever since winning a set in their loss to Fordham last month, the Bobcats have now lost season-high 19 straight sets, continuing a rough season so far for the team. This comes after it began the season losing six straight all by 3-0 shutouts, 18 sets lost. Part of the reason for the Bobcat’s struggles is because of miscommunication among the players for a total of 273 errors committed this season.
Sacred Heart outplayed Quinnipiac in every aspect of the match. The Pioneers won in kills (38-25), and committed fewer errors (17-20). Both teams played strong defense throughout the match and dig totals were close, as Sacred Heart ousted Quinnipiac by just one (48-47).
Pioneer freshman Karly Shockey led the way with 10 kills, and sophomore Alisa Mesa contributed 31 aces and 14 digs.
Quinnipiac’s Tanner Celestin (Norco, Calif.) led the offensive attack for the Bobcats with 11 kills. Brittanie Robinson (Fresno, Calif.) contributed 20 aces, three digs, and four blocks, and Tierra Allan (Sumter, S.C.) led the way in total team digs with 15 and three kills.
The Bobcats fell behind early in all three sets, but they almost came back to win the first set, but fell 27-25. Sacred Heart would run away with the final two sets, winning by seven and 10 respectively.
“We played well during the first set as our blocking was there, but through the second and third sets our blocking and defense fell apart, and that is what I saw,” said Quinnipiac Head Coach Kristopher Czaplinski.
Czaplinski, the first-year head coach, has faced his challenges thus far, but acknowledged some bright spots from today’s match.
“There are many positives we can take from this match into Central Connecticut State tomorrow, as Tierra Allen had such a terrific game, and the rest of my team made some good contributions for us today,” Czaplinski said.
Quinnipiac now stands at a 1-13 overall record, going 0-4 in conference play. The win brings Sacred Heart to a 5-15 record which helps push them back to a .500 mark in conference play at 3-3.
The Bobcats are back in action tomorrow when they travel to face the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State University starting at 1 p.m.
