SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The American International College women's volleyball team took care of business at the 2022 Northeast-10 Championship, winning 25-17, 25-19, 25-20 over Adelphi University to capture the team's second consecutive title on Sunday, November 13.
AIC is now 29-2 on the season.
The first set for AIC was an offensive explosion as the Yellow Jackets had 17 kills against just one error on 31 swings to hit .516. Andrea Serra Rosa and Paola Soto Burgos struck for the first two, and Amber Williams, Mai-Lani Hernandez, and Kristina Peric quickly got onto the board as well. Although the Panthers kept it close through 19-17, AIC was able to run away by rattiling off the last six points, three of which were Serra Rosa kills including set point.
AIC's block was involved as well, as the front line contributed a pair in an early five-point run to start the second. Once again, the Panthers kept it close but could not get back even, as Soto Burgos, Peric, and Serra Rosa kept landing kills, and the front kept blocking Adelphi's attack. Ahead 23-19, AIC was able to score two points on errors to take the set.
Soto Burgos kept up her torrid pace with three kills in the early third set. The Panthers continued to pursue AIC, only to be pushed back down by AIC's offense. Serra Rosa, Soto Burgos, and Peric were able to score key kills to keep the Yellow Jackets ahead, and on match point, a second-effort kill by Soto Burgos hit the wood to keep the title in Springfield.
Soto Burgos was named Tournament MVP, having hit .388 with 57 kills on 121 swings in the three matches. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Perla Rosa, who had 59 digs for the Yellow Jackets.
In the match, Soto Burgos had 17 kills and hit .457, while Serra Rosa added 12 kills, and Williams contributed six nd three blocks. Hernandez put up four kills and five blocks. Naomi Eckert Rivera contributed 40 assists, a dozen digs, and three blocks.
AIC now waits for the NCAA Selection Show for its next opponent; the Yellow Jackets are likely to be the top seed and therefore the hosts; the Tournament will start Thursday, November 17. Start times are to be announced.
(Photo credit: RJB Sports)
