WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Kea-Marie Olaso (Kailua, Hawai'i/Le Jardin Academy) became the all-time leader in digs at the University of New Haven as the women's volleyball team swept crosstown and Northeast-10 rival Southern Connecticut State on Tuesday evening at Charger Gymnasium. Olaso had a match-best 14 digs to eclipse the program record.
 
With the win, the Chargers improve to 20-6 overall and 11-2 in the Northeast-10. New Haven has won at least 20 matches in nine consecutive seasons and in 36 of the past 38 campaigns. Tonight's victory also secured home court advantage for a Northeast-10 Championship Quarterfinal set for next Tuesday, Nov. 11.

With their fourth straight loss, the Owls drop to 7-21 on the season with a 3-10 conference mark.
 
With her 14 digs, Olaso improves to 1,580 in her career to surpass the mark of 1,574 set by Heather Ladao. Ladao was Olaso's predecessor as New Haven's starting libero from 2008 to 2011. Only a junior, Olaso also holds the New Haven single-season digs mark of 627 established last fall.
 
On the offensive end, eight Chargers recorded kills in tonight's match. Kristen Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) led all players with 12 digs, while Kristy Atufunwa (Denver, Colo./Denver East) sent home 11 finishers  on .474 hitting (11-2-19). Hayley Wilson (Denver, Colo./Overland) added six kills, and Margo Meteyer (Madison, Wis./Madison West) and Ashley Dalton (Helena, Mont./Capital / Northern Arizona University) dropped in five apiece. Rounding out the New Haven attack were Lexis Peterson (Windsor, N.Y./Windsor Central) with two kills and Damianis Eusebio (Miramar, Fla./University School) and Meghan Kennelly (Detroit, Mich./Eisenhower) with one kill each.
 
Annika Hacker (Bayreuth, Germany/Littleton (Colo.)) and Kaulana Ane (Paia, Hawai'i/Kamehameha) shared setting duties and distributed 20 and 15 assists, respectively. The duo ran the Charger offense to a .271 hitting percentage, and both setters landed one service ace.
 
In addition to Olaso's match-best output, Lee and Kennelly each picked up eight digs and Hacker added seven. At the net, Atufunwa played a part in six of the Chargers' eight team blocks. Dalton and Caprisha Richards (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands/Antilles School) both had a hand in two New Haven send-backs.
 
The New Haven defensive effort limited Southern Connecticut State to an .037 hitting percentage. The Owls were led by team highs of 11 kills and 11 digs from Nicole Hauser. Setters Taylor Carlson and Alexandria Nimz dished out 13 and 12 assists, respectively.
 
The Chargers conclude the regular season this Saturday with a 1 p.m. visit to Northeast-10 foe Southern New Hampshire. New Haven can clinch at least a share of its seventh consecutive NE-10 regular season title with a win over the Penmen and remains in contention to claim the top seed in the upcoming NE-10 Championship.