Purple Knights Vanquish Griffins To Advance To CACC Final

Lakewood, N.J. – The University of Bridgeport women's volleyball team defeated Chestnut Hill College in Saturday's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Semifinal match three sets to one. UB won the first, third and fourth sets by score of 26-24, 28-26 and 25-21 respectively. The Griffins took set two with a score of 25-20. The win advances UB to Sunday's championship game and improves their overall record to 25-7.

The regular season matchup between the two sides was held on October 7th in Bridgeport where the Purple Knights won 3-0. The postseason affair would be much closer with the Griffins' defense shining bright.

Chestnut Hill enjoyed nearly double the blocks, 15 total blocks to UB's eight and 10 more digs with 83 total. Bridgeport countered that with a hitting percentage of .260 percent, bettering the Griffins with their .202 hitting percentage.

Leading the UB attack was Hailey Jessen (Fr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.) as she hit with a .364 hitting percentage, producing 17 kills along with six digs. Classmate Grace Presswood (S. Dennis, Mass.) was right behind with 16 kills in addition to 15 digs and two assisted blocks for her first postseason double double.

Setter Jaden Drollinger (Jr., Queens Creek, Az.) also registered a double double Saturday afternoon as she provided 52 assists and 13 digs as well as one kill and one ace.

Paola Hernandez (Jr., Bayamon, P.R.) had a stellar day in the back row for UB, accumulating a game-high 26 digs and adding three assists and one ace.

Right side hitter Datari Mathis (Grad., Wethersfield, Conn.) chipped in 13 kills to add to her two digs, two assisted blocks and one assist.

Middle blocker Lucia Tomiello (So., Caltrano, Italy) had the most efficient day for UB as she attacked with an impressive .429 hitting percentage to add to her 10 kills, two digs and one block.

Madison Jongsma (Jr., Sanford, Fla.) led the team with her three blocks and attacked well with a .267 hitting percentage, while adding six kills.

Up next, the North Division one seed, UB will face off with the South Division one seed, Jefferson University after they victory over Wilmington University Saturday afternoon. The CACC Championship game will be held Sunday, November 19th at 12:00 p.m. in Lakewood, N.J. on the campus of Georgian Court University.

PHOTO BY CLARUS MULTIMEDIA