BOX SCORE

WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven women's volleyball team claimed Friday night's NCAA East Region Semifinal match in three sets over Northeast-10 Conference foe, Adelphi. The Chargers defeated the NE-10 Champions 3-0 by scores of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-22. With the win, New Haven improves to 23-6 overall and advances to the East Region Championship. The loss concludes Adelphi's season as they finish 23-8.

The Chargers were in control most of the way and only trailed 10 times throughout the course of the match. They set the tempo right away with a strong showing in the first set. New Haven connected on 18 kills with just three errors for a .577 hitting percentage. New Haven had a well-balanced offensive attack. As a team, they finished with a .312 hitting percentage compared to the Panthers .102.

The second set began much like the first as both teams went back and forth early on. With the score tied, 7-7, New Haven rallied six of the next seven points to go ahead 13-8. The remainder of the set was all Chargers as a kill by senior Chelsey Alpough (Torrance, Calif./South / Western New Mexico Univ. ) gave the team a 25-19 advantage.

The third and final set was easily the most competitive. Trailing 20-19, the Panthers rallied off two straight points to take the lead. However, a kill from sophomore Amber Cannady (Yonkers, N.Y./Charles E. Gorton), followed by two Adelphi attack errors gave New Haven the set and match, 25-22.

Freshman Kristy Atufunwa (Denver, Colo./Denver East) led all Chargers with nine kills and one error on 12 total attacks for a .667 hitting percentage. Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year, junior Keidy Candelaria (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Bayamon Military Academy), was right behind her with eight kills while freshman Kaulana Ane (Paia, Hawai'i/Kamehameha) tallied seven and Cannady added six. The three-time Northeast-10 Conference Setter of the Year, Alpough, dished out a match-high 33 assists and senior Heather Ladao (West Covina, Calif./Rowland ) led the team defensively with 10 digs.

New Haven returns to Charger Gymnasium tomorrow night to face the third seeded Bridgeport Purple Knights in the NCAA East Region Championship. The Chargers took the first two meetings this season, 3-2 and 3-0, however the Purple Knights have defeated New Haven the previous two seasons in the NCAA Division II East Region Semifinal round including a 3-0 victory last year. Tomorrow's Championship match is scheduled for 7 p.m. For complete coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division II East Region Championship, visit tournament central at www.NewHavenChargers.com/NCAAVolleyball.