Box Score

(11-19-09) OAKDALE, N.Y. - The University of New Haven women's volleyball team defeated Pace University in three sets Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the NCAA Division II East Region Championship tournament. The Chargers improve to 25-5 on the season, while the Setters conclude the season at 17-12.

The Chargers and Setters kept it close through the first third of the opening set. UNH then went on a 6-0 run to take a 15-11 lead midway through the set. The Chargers then cruised and would take a 25-17 win in the opening set. Middle Elizabeth Akinbiyi led the Chargers with three kills on six attempts. The sophomore added four total blocks in the opening set.

The set two, New Haven took the immediate lead by opening the set with seven straight points. A Pace attack error three points later, gave the Chargers a 9-1 lead. The Chargers would carry that lead throughout the match and took a decisive 25-13 victory in the second set. The Chargers hit at a .269 clip, while holding the Setters to a .000 hitting percentage.

After New Haven and Pace found themselves tied at 10-10, the Chargers took over in the final set as well. Junior outside hitter Sara Malmlov went 8-for-9 with just one error in the final set, while Akinbiyi gave UNH the 25-18 victory with a kill.

Malmlov ended with 16 kills on 28 attempts with four errors for a .429 hitting percentage. Akinbiyi added nine kills on 18 attempts with one error for a .444 hitting percentage. Chelsey Alpough handed out a match-high 28 assists, while also registering a .500 hitting percentage. Malmlov, Keidy Candelaria and Heather Ladao each tallied 12 digs to lead the Chargers.

The Chargers hit .352 in the match, while holding Pace to a .059 hitting percentage.

The Chargers take on the third seeded Purple Knights of the University of Bridgeport Friday, November 19 at 5 p.m. in the NCAA East Region Championship semifinal match. For complete coverage of the match visit www.newhaven.edu/athletics/livecoverage.