MANCHESTER, New Hampshire - The American International College volleyball hit the road for a midweek Northeast-10 showdown with the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire. The Yellow Jackets dropped the first set but rallied back to take the match 3-2.
FAST FACTS:
FINAL SCORE: AIC 3, SNHU 2 (14-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-25, 16-14)
RECORDS:AIC moves to 10-8, 3-1 and SNHU moves to 4-9, 1-4.
LOCATION: SNHU Fieldhouse, Manchester, N.H.
STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Jana Potic: 14 kills, seven digs
Annie Boele: 13 kills, 15 digs
Arianna Pena-Martinez: 10 kills,
Mercy Rivera: 26 digs
Evelyn Lopez: 16 digs
Dolores Kopren: 45 assists, 14 digs
SNHU:
Jaclyn Maguire: 14 kills
Marissa Coronis: 14 kills, nine digs
Joanne Coffey: 32 assists, 10 digs
Kathleen Schurman: 23 digs
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Penmen came out of the huddle ready to avenge their early season loss to the Yellow Jackets as they took an 12-3 lead. AIC tried to string points together, but every time they did, the Penmen negated it. The Penmen took the set 25-14.
- AIC started the second set much better. After the first eight points, the two teams were tied at four. Down, 8-4, the Yellow Jackets rallied back and tied the game at 18 to force a Penmen timeout. With AIC up 23-22, SNHU took their second timeout. The Yellow Jackets finished the second set on a 5-0 to take the set by a score of 25-22.
- The third set was a back-and-fourth affair. Neither team had more than a three point lead til AIC was up 13-10 and forced a SNHU timeout. AIC showed a glimpse of the team they were last season and took the set 25-20.
- All tied up at seven in the fourth, the Penmen were intent on sending the match to the fifth set. They did this in part of a 10-3 run that made it 17-10. It was too much of a deficit to overcome for the Yellow Jackets as the Penmen took set four, 25-15.
- The fifth set started out even at six all. The Penmen then went on a 6-0 run to take the 12-6 lead. Down to the last point, AIC didn't want to let the match escape. They finished the set on a 9-0 run to take the set, 16-14 and the match 3-2
GAME NOTES:
- Rivera is now just 88 digs away from becoming the career leader in digs in program history.
- Kopren has recorded at least 30 or more assist in 13 games this season. Last season she had done the same feat in 15 of the first 17 matches.
- Kopren now ranks fourth time in program history in assists. She recently passes Dawn Richardson. She currently trails Katherine Dunford by 321 assists. At the rate she is going, Kopren would reach this mark in 32 sets.
NEXT UP:
- The Yellow Jackets will start a three game home stand. On Thursday, October 5th, AIC will host the Setter of Pace. The volleyball and softball teams will be raising funds for Agawam High School volleyball student-athlete and brotherof softball team member Jess Lingenberg, Justin.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For more updates about the AIC volleyball team, follow@AICvbonTwitterand likeAIC VolleyballonFacebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticsonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.
