ALBANY, New York - The American International College volleyball team hit the road for a matchup with the Golden Knights of Saint Rose. Despite dropping the second and third set, the Yellow Jackets took the match 3-2.
FAST FACTS:
FINAL SCORE: AIC 3, Saint Rose 2 (25-19, 21-25 25-27, 25-23, 15-9)
RECORDS:AIC moves to 18-9 overall and 9-2 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while Saint Rose moves to 12-13 overall and 3-7 in the NE10.
LOCATION: Daniel P. Nolan Gym, Albany New York
STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Jana Potic: 20 kills, seven digs
Annie Boele: 15 kills, 21 digs
Arianna Pena-Martinez: 13 kills, eight digs
Dolores Kopren: 48 assists, eight digs
Mercy Rivera: 30 digs
Saint Rose:
Schweitzer: 16 kills, seven assists
Webber: 14 kills, 10 total blocks
Kubik: 39 assists, nine digs
Ceriello: 34 digs
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The two teams came out ready to battle. AIC started taking control of the match when the score was 14-13. The Yellow Jackets went on a 5-1 run to distance themselves. Saint Rose tried to cut the deficit, but AIC took the first set, 25-19.
- Saint Rose jumped out to a 9-4 lead early in the second set. An ace by CJ Almaraz tied the game up at 16 before the Golden Knights went on a small run. All tied up at 21, the home team went on a 4-0 run to take the second set, 25-21, and tied the match up at one set apiece.
- Down 4-7 in the third set, the Yellow Jackets rallied back and made it a one-point game, 15-16, and then eventually tied the game at 25. Despite tying the game, the Golden Knights took the set 27-25 and the 2-1 set lead.
- Up 12-8 in the fourth set, the Yellow Jackets went on a run and took a 21-12 lead. Wanting to close the match out, the Golden Knights fought back within 24-22. After allowing a point, AIC ended the fourth as they took the set 25-23.
- AIC jumped out into the 8-4 lead in the fifth set and continued to run as they took the set, 15-9, and the match, 3-2.
GAME NOTES:
- Rivera became the career leader in digs in program history during Tuesday, October 17'smatch against Southern Connecticut State. Rivera's dig on the final play of the game proved to be the record-breaking dig.
- On Saturday, October 28 against Roberts Wesleyan, Rivera became the first player in program history to surpass the 2,000 digs club. She currently sits at 2,032 digs.
- Kopren now ranks third all-time in program history in assists. She currently has 2,565 career assists and is 1,274 behind Stephanie O'Brien, who has 3,839.
NEXT UP:
- The Yellow Jackets will return home to host the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's on Friday, November 3, when AIC will honor its seniors in a pregame ceremony.
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.