WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven women's volleyball team swept a pair of matches on opening day of the Charger Invitational on Friday evening, defeating the Post Eagles (13-25, 25-21, 25-17, 24-26, 15-13) and Daemen Wildcats (24-26, 12-25, 25-21, 25-16, 15-11), both in five sets. 

After dropping the first set against Post, the Chargers roared back winning the second and third before falling in a tight fourth set. New Haven and Post fought tightly in the fifth. After going down 4-2, the Chargers ripped off an 8-2 run that included two kills by Meghan Kennelly (Detroit, Mich./Eisenhower) to take a 10-6 lead. The Eagles cut the edge to a single point at 13-12, but recovered, winning the decider 15-13, with Kristine Rios (Miami, Fla./Coral Reef) killing the final two points.

Against the Wildcats, the Blue and Gold fell in the first two sets before hitting their stride, winning 25-21 in the third and 25-16 in the fourth. In the deciding set, New Haven fell behind early, but rallied to take an 11-6 lead before holding on for the 15-11 win.

NOTES VS. POST

·         Kristen Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) had a double-double with 16 digs and 15 kills, adding four blocks

·          Rios had 36 assists and nine kills, accumulating a .333 hitting percentage 

·          Alex Bussey (Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy) delivered nine kills with a blistering .533 hitting percentage

NOTES VS. DAEMEN

·         The match was the Chargers third win in a five-set match this season

·          Meghan Kennelly (Detroit, Mich./Eisenhower) led New Haven with 20 kills 

·          Devin Smith (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) topped New Haven with 23 digs