BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of New Haven women's volleyball team opened up its 2019 season with a pair of matches at the Ferris State Invitational, dropping 3-0 decisions to Bemidji State in the opener and Gannon in the night cap.
Overall on the day, New Haven was led by senior outside hitter Mallory Nowicki (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview) who combined for 17 kills across the two matches. Joining her in leading the offense on the day was junior Kali Greathead (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley) (12 kills combined), junior Camille Garden (Atlanta, Ga./Landmark Christian) (11 kills) and sophomore Ruby Fera (Seattle, Wash./Ballard) (10 kills). Among all the leading hitter, Nowicki again led the way, registering a .271 hitting percentage with her 17 kills coming on 48 attempts with just four kills total on the day.
Marshaling the Chargers offense on opening day was junior setter Angela Chan (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) who combined for 48 total assists on the day, averaging eight per set. Chan collected 20 or more assists in both matches setting her high on the day at 28 in the opener against Bemidji State. She also added to her credit a kill, two aces and 17 digs, combining for a double double in the opener when she upped 10 of Bemidji's attack attempts.
Leading the Chargers overall defense efforts was freshman Julia Guarniere (Milford, N.H./Milford) who combined for 27 digs which included a high on the day of 19 in the nightcap against Gannon. Following her defensively was Greathead with 19 and Chan and MaryRose Steed (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) who each combined for 17 total on the day.
MATCH ONE: Bemidji State 3, New Haven 0
The lone senior on New Haven's 2019 roster, Nowicki opened up the new season leading her squad with the only double figure performance of the day on the hitting end, racking up 10 kills on a .364 hitting percentage against Bemidji. The outside hitter suffered just two errors in 22 attempts in the season opener.
Following her in leading the Blue and Gold's scoring was junior Greathead who racked up eight kills, hitting 214 for the match while also leading the team defensively with 13 digs. Also among the hitting leaders was Garden and Fera who each chipped in six kills.
Joining Greathead in leading the defensive efforts was Steed and Chan who each turned back 10 of Bemidji State's attack attempts. Chan also led New Haven with 28 assists.
MATCH TWO: Gannon 3, New Haven 0
In the nightcap, New Haven's hitting struggled to gain momentum as Gannon successfully dug 72 of the Chargers attempts in the match. Leading the way was once again the senior outside hitter Nowicki who finished with seven kills while hitting .192 overall.
Leading the way in attack percentage was sophomore Sydney Strasner (Corona, Calif./Santiago) who drilled three kills while suffering a single error in seven attempts for a .286 average. Rounding out the Chargers top hitters was Garden with five kills and Greathead with four. Chan again led New Haven, racking up 20 assists in the nightcap.
Defensively, the Chargers were led by the rookie defensive specialist Guarniere who collected 19 total digs. Following her on that end of the floor was Chan and Steed who each finished with seven digs. Overall, all 10 New Haven players who saw time in the match finished with at least one dig.
UP NEXT
New Haven will close out the Ferris State Invitational on Saturday when they again play a pair of matches at Ewigleben Sports Arena. The Chargers will open up the day with Seton Hill at 11:30 a.m. with a quick turnaround leading into the final match of the weekend against Wayne State at 3:00 p.m.
