WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Coming off their dominant win against the Golden Falcons of Felician, the University of New Haven Women's Volleyball team returned to their home court for a Saturday double header opening up against their cross town rival Southern Connecticut State University followed by a meeting with East Stroudsburg.

With dominant performances by freshmen against Felician head coach Ana Pego kept the lineup the same and the chemistry continued to build between the freshmen and returners. In the first set, it was Southern that scored the first point but New Haven came back and sent a message scoring six straight points, all kills, to storm out in front. The Owls put together a run of their own taking a lead and holding it through the middle of the set, but a five point swing in favor of the blue and gold saw New Haven back in front forcing a timeout by Southern. The Chargers stormed out of the break scoring three more times and would go on to close out the first set winning 25-21 and taking the early lead in the match. With the lead in the match the Chargers stayed out on their front foot and jumped out to an early lead again in the second set. Unlike in the first set, the blue and gold never let the Owls take a lead as the Chargers went on their runs with big statement kills to keep Southern on their heels and never let them get any momentum. Katherine Rank (Parker, Colo./Ponderosa) ended the second set with an exclamation point as she registered her tenth kill of the match and giving New Haven a 2-0 lead. Looking to make it back to back sweeps New Haven made their way into the third set with their goal in mind and executed it again. Southern kept things close not giving the Chargers anything for free as the two squads went back and forth battling for each point. New Haven began to pull away late in the set and the Owls could sense the tide shifting calling a time out in an attempt to slow New Haven. The Chargers however could not be stopped as New Haven would once again close out the set winning 25-20 and winning the match 3-0 for back to back sweeps. A trio of freshmen led all scorers as Rank led the way with 15 kills, Grace Jeurgens had 12 and Peyton Mast (Park Hills, Ky./Notre Dame Academy) had six kills. Michelle Henwood (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Academia Maria Reina) added 34 assists in the win as Macy Brown (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) had 10 digs. With the big win New Haven had extra time to recover before they took on the Warriors of East Stroudsburg. 

In their second match, New Haven took on the Warriors and jumped out early in the first set taking a commanding lead that they never looked back on. After dominating in the first match Grace Jeurgens continued to dominate and finished the first set with a kill to take the first set 25-17. In the second set the Chargers and Warriors went back and forth trading points and leads late into the set. It was the East Stroudsburg however that was able to close out the set evening the match at one all. In the third East Stroudsburg was able to come out strong and just hold off New Havens late surge to take the set and the lead in the match 2-1. In the pivotal fourth set New Haven found another gear and were able to jump out to an early lead and were able to defend and counter the late run by East Stroudsburg to win the fourth set 25-21 and even the match at 2-2. Down to the final set both the Chargers and Warriors went back and forth trading leads but East Stroudsburg was able to close out the set 15-12 as East Stroudsburg took the match 3-2. Macy Brown (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) led the Chargers with 19 kills, Grace Jeurgens had 18 kills, Michelle Henwood (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Academia Maria Reina) added 52 assists and Rilee Jessee (Edinburgh, Ind,/Columbus East) had 26 digs in the loss.

The home stand continues for the Chargers as they open up NE10 Conference play against the Golden Knights of The College of Saint Rose on Tuesday September 26. Tip off from Charger Gymnasium is scheduled for 7:00pm 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.