Box Score
(10-12-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven women's volleyball team defeated the nationally ranked No. 23 Florida Southern College in five sets (22-25, 25-19, 25-16,21-25, 15-7) Monday night at Charger Gymnasium. With the non-conference win the Chargers improve to 15-4 on the season, Florida Southern falls to 10-11.
The Chargers held a 7-4 lead in the opening set Monday, but quickly found themselves behind 16-11. UNH struggled to regain momentum and eventually suffered the 25-22 loss, despite a small rally in the waning moments of the set.
New Haven bounced back with a second-set victory. The teams were tied 6-6 early in the set, but UNH went on a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead off a kill by Tymika Duncan. The Moccasins rallied and cut the New Haven lead to one at 11-10, but UNH held strong and went on a 7-1 run to take a commanding 18-11 lead. UNH then cruised to the 25-19 set victory, not allowing Florida Southern to get any closer than three points.
The third set was all New Haven as they opened a 5-1 lead early in the set. The Moccasins went on a 6-3 run to cut the UNH lead to one at 8-7. A kill by Keidy Candelaria later in the set gave the Chargers a 19-12 lead and an attack error eventually gave New Haven the 25-16 victory.
The fourth set was played very close Monday night. Both teams exchanged points for most of the set and neither team led by more than two until Florida Southern took a 20-17 lead late. They went on a scored five of the last nine points to even the match at two sets a piece.
In the final set, the Chargers scored four of the first five points to take a decisive 4-1 lead in the deciding set. After allowing Florida Southern within two (4-2), the Chargers rattled off five unanswered points behind the serving of junior Sara Malmlov. UNH then sealed the match with two Moccasin attack errors at the conclusion.
Sophomore middle Elizabeth Akinbiyi led the Chargers with 19 kills and six errors on 43 attempts (.302 hitting percentage). She also grabbed a team-high eight blocks.
Sara Malmlov added 13 kills and 14 digs, while Candelaria registered 16 kills and 13 digs. Chelsey Alpough handed out 47 assists, and Heather Ladao grabbed a team-high 24 digs.
The Chargers held a .210-.182 hitting advantage, including a .400-.172 advantage in the third set.
The Chargers return to action on Wednesday when they travel to regional rival, the University of Bridgeport. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
