EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Senior setter Kristine Rios (Miami, Fla./Coral Reef) came one dig shy of two triple doubles on the day as she led the Chargers to a pair of victories on Saturday, completing a four-match sweep at the two-day East Stroudsburg Invitational.
New Haven opened up the afternoon with a sweep of Caldwell before a four-set victory over the host Warriors completed the weekend. For their overall weekend performance Rios and junior right side Mallory Nowicki (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview) each earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team, the second-straight week Nowicki has picked up the honor.
For the day, Rios led the way with a combined 25 kills which came on a team-best .383 hitting average as she closed out the opening match errorless and suffered just two in the second match with 60 total attempts on the day. Joining her in leading the way was sophomore Kali Greathead (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley) and freshman Ruby Fera (Seattle, Wash./Ballard) who finished with 22 and 20 kills respectively.
Defensively, senior Lindsey Kim (Rye Brook, N.Y./Blind Brook) led the Blue and Gold with 26 digs, one of five players to finish with double figures combined for the day. Fera, who also completed a double double in both matches finished with 22 digs, while Rios followed with 20. Rounding out the day was Greathead with 18 and Angela Chan (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) with a dozen.
MATCH ONE: New Haven 3, Caldwell 0
Despite a back-and-forth opening set, the Chargers cruised to their fifth straight victory with scores of 27-25, 25-17, 25-18. With double figures in three major statistical categories, Rios led the Blue and Gold with her first triple double of the season and the 15th of her career.
Rios was one of two Chargers who led the hitting efforts with her and Greathead each contributing 11 kills. Of the duo, Rios led the way, finishing errorless in 25 attempts for a .440 average. Also among the leaders was freshman Ruby Fera (Seattle, Wash./Ballard) who finished with eight kills and a .263 average.
Despite her triple double, Rios' 19 assists didn't lead the Chargers in the opening match as sophomore Angela Chan (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) led the way with 20. The setting duo led New Haven to a .197 hitting average with 45 total kills in 117 attempts.
Defensively, Rios was one of three Chargers in double figures as she capped off her triple double with 11 digs. Greathead led the way with a dozen defensive stops, completing her second double double of the year, while Fera matched Rios with 11 digs, the fourth time she has doubled up in two categories.
MATCH TWO: New Haven 3, East Stroudsburg 1
Taking an early 2-0 lead in the match, the Chargers never looked back as they completed the weekend sweep behind the support of their senior setter Rios who led the Blue and Gold for the second-straight match with 14 kills.
Rios nearly completed her second triple double of the day, adding a team-high 29 assists and falling one dig shy at nine. She also led New Haven's hitting efforts with a .343 average, suffering a pair of errors in 35 attempts.
Overall, Rios was one of four players in double figures followed by rookie outside hitter Fera who chipped in a dozen. Greathead and Nowicki each finished with 11, while Garden rounded out the leaders with eight kills.
As a team, Rios and her setting partner Chan led the Chargers to a .220 average with 56 total kills in 159 attempts. Rios' 27 assists led the way while Chan added 24.
Defensively, New Haven was led by Lindsey Kim (Rye Brook, N.Y./Blind Brook) who finished with 19 digs, one shy of her season-high. Fera followed her with 11 digs to complete her second match of the day with a double double.
UP NEXT
The Blue and Gold will make their inaugural appearance this season at Charger Gymnasium when they host a non-conference meeting with fellow Nutmeg State opponent Post University. First serve is slated for 7:00 p.m. Fans who are unable to make the game can follow the action online with Live Stats or Live Video.
