BOSTON – The Suffolk women's volleyball team split its home series finale in Senior Day action at Regan Gymnasium Saturday as the Rams dropped straight sets to Emmanuel, before rebounding with a sweep of Albertus Magnus.
Suffolk got off to a slow start in the tri-match's opener versus Emmanuel as the Saints easily handled the Rams in the first frame, 25-7. The second set was a different story with Suffolk jumping out to a 6-3 edge that stretched to a 14-10. The Saints called for a break, but the timeout did not stop the Rams' momentum as the host went ahead 17-12. Suffolk could not hold onto the lead, however, as Emmanuel put together a 6-1 stretch to the level the stanza at 18-all. From there it was a back-and-forth affair with the Saints prevailing, 26-24. The score tied six times over the final set with the lead changing on four occasions. In the end Emmanuel sealed its straight set victory, 25-18.
Bridget Allison's seven kills paced Suffolk's attack with Talia Lombardo contributing on both sides of the net with five kills and a team-best eight digs.
Emmanuel received 12 kills from Cassie Chruscielski, who hit .312. Shannon Dudley commanded the Saints' offense to a .309 hitting percentage.
In the middle match, Emmanuel (9-14, 7-2 GNAC) proved to be too much for Albertus Magnus, sweeping the Falcons for a 2-0 record on the day. Nearly every player on the Saints roster saw action in the match to help Emmanuel cruise past Emmanuel by set scores of 25-16, 25-19 and 25-18.
A balanced attack led the Saints to victory with eight players recording a kills with Brittany Tutalo and Chruscielski each notching five. Amber Cohens' six kills paced the Falcons.
Suffolk (7-19, 3-7 GNAC) finished its home slate on a high note as it jetted past Albertus Magnus (4-15, 1-8 GNAC) in the tri-match's closer. Jumping out to a 6-0 start in the opening set the Rams and did not allow the Falcons to get any closer to take the frame, 25-6. Using the first stanza momentum the Rams cruised in to the following sets, 25-12 and 25-18 for the victory.
Suffolk was powered by Emma Feeney's seven aces, four coming the initial set. Allison and Chidera Nwankwo proved to be the offensive threats with seven kills each, while Buckley chipped in a handful (5).
Prior to first serve, the Rams honored the playing career of their lone senior Caitlyn Mockler. The Manchester, Conneticut native has been instrumental to the team's growth over the past four seasons, highlighted by a GNAC post season appearance in 2013. In her four-year career with the Rams, Mockler has accumulated 31 kills, 111 assists, 161 digs and 13 aces in 53 match appearances and 139 sets played.
Suffolk takes to the road to wrap up the regular season. The Rams travel to Johnson & Wales Tuesday, before stepping out of conference play in the season finale at UMass Dartmouth Thursday.