Box Score

The University of New Haven women’s volleyball team opened the 2010 campaign with a 3-0 sweep against Caldwell College on Friday night on the first day of the New Haven Invitational. With the win, the Chargers moved to 6-0 in their last six season opening matches.

In all three games, New Haven and Caldwell played close early on in the sets. It wasn’t until the final points of the games when UNH would completely grasp control of the matches. The Chargers strung together the last four points in game one and the final five points in sets two and three for the triumphs.

2009 Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Year, Keidy Candelaria (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Bayamon Military Academy), led the way with 11 kills, 17 digs and one assist. Tymika Duncan (Trinidad, West Indies/St. Joseph’s Convent ) and Elizabeth Akinbiyi (Miami Gardens, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna Prep.) each added 10 kill shots, while All-America honoree Sara Malmlov added nine and 13 digs. Chelsey Alpough (Torrance, Calif./South / Western New Mexico Univ. ) composed a steady attack all night, chipping in with 39 assists and one kill. Heather Ladao (West Covina, Calif./Rowland ) also chimed in with 19 digs for the Chargers.

In the other game, Bridgeport needed four games to defeat Holy Family. After dropping the first set, 25-19, the Purple Knights battled back to win the next three, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-16.

The Chargers return to the court tomorrow for day two of the UNH Invitational. UNH will take on Holy Family at 9:00 a.m. and Bridgeport at 2:00 p.m., with all the action taking place in Charger Gymnasium.