WEST HAVEN, Connecticut. – Riding a four match win streak and a perfect record in the conference, the University of New Haven Women's Volleyball Team took on the Yellowjackets of American International College who entered the match perfect in the conference as well and riding their own win streak, only one powerhouse could leave West Haven with their win streak and perfect conference record in tact.
The blue and gold after giving up the first point of the set, jumped out to a 4-1 lead that saw the freshmen duo of Grace Juergens (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) and Peyton Mass pick ups kills in the run. The momentum of the early run carried through as New Haven never trailed in the first set holding a lead over the Yellowjackets. Streaks of kills and capitalizing on mistakes by the Yellowjackets forcing AIC to use their timeouts. Down the stretch AIC made things interesting closing the gap to two but Kylie Reynolds-Martin (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) finished the set with a kill to give New Haven the 1-0 lead in the match with a 25-22 win. With New Haven up in the match, the Yellowjackets responded by taking the second and third match taking a lead forcing the fourth set to be drama packed. After AIC took an early lead in the set the blue and gold went on a 10-0 run that saw them turn a three point deficit into a seven point lead as the starting lineup continued to gel and connect with one another keeping AIC guessing. Scoring runs continued for the Chargers throughout the set keeping at AIC at bay. A late push by AIC forced New Haven call a timeout but out of the break, New Haven scored the two points they need with a kill by Macy Brown (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) and the winning kill from Amihan Johnson (Tacoma, Wash./Fife High School) to level the match at 2-2 and force a fifth set. After the captains met ahead of the fifth set AIC won service first but it was the Chargers striking first with a Macy Brown (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) kill to take the lead. A back and forth set with emotions running high,
and both teams trading ties and leads. After switching sides of the court and a two point lead New Haven found a new gear as the band and fans poured their full sport behind the team pushing them on their 8-3 run to close out the set. New Haven behind two kills from Macy Brown (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac), a kill from Kylie Reynolds-Martin (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) and Michelle Henwood (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Academia Maria Reina) tied and took the lead from AIC as Brown with her second kill of the run finished the set for New Haven winning 15-12 and winning the match 3-2 coming from behind to claim the win. Macy Brown (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) led the Chargers with a double-double posting 14 kills and 28 digs and Kylie Reynolds-Martin (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) added 11 kills. Michelle Henwood (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Academia Maria Reina) totaled 28 assists in the win for the blue and gold.
As the win streak continues and New Haven remains perfect in the conference they look to extend their win streak as they welcome the Wildcats of Wilmington to Charger Gymnasium on Thursday October 12 for a non conference match to close the home stand. Tip off is scheduled 6:00pm on the Charger Sports Network and NE10 Now and all updates, schedules, and post-game recaps for the team will be available at Newhavenchargers.com.
