SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Coming off their quarterfinal win against the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire, the University of New Haven Volleyball team returned the the court this time on the road in a similar situation as they did a year ago, on the road taking on the Falcons of Bentley University in the Northeast 10 Semi-final match. A year ago in Long Island, it was the Chargers winning the match against the Falcons en route to their conference crown and now the blue and gold looked for a similar outcome this time in Springfield. 

A year ago it was the Falcons taking the first set of the semifinal match and a few weeks ago the Falcons took the first set against New Haven at Charger Gymnasium as New Haven looked to flip the script leading early in the opening set. Bentley pressured late and came back taking the opening set 25-20. New Haven took an early lead in the second looking to tie the match at one. Amber Williams (Lilburn, Ga./Brookwood) found her rhythm as she made her second return to Springfield and worked both sides of the ball picking up big kills and blocks when her team needed them most. The second set saw late point drama as it was New Haven leading late but Bentley getting to set point first on the Chargers, and Bentley winning the second 25-23 with a late comeback, as New Haven trailed in the match 2-0. In the must win third for the Chargers, New Haven led early on and grew their lead to as many as nine in the set, but never had the big play that put away Bentley, as the Falcons closed the score late in the set and closed within two forcing Ana Pego to use a timeout. Out of the timeout, New Haven looked to a pair of their sophomores who had been in this situation a year ago as Katharine Rank and Grace Juergens (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) each picked up kills to get to set point before Juergens clinched the third set with her eighth kill of the match as New Haven won 25-22 and moved into the fourth looking to keep the momentum. New Haven led to start the set but it was Bentley that took the lead late and held against the late run by New Haven in the set as New Haven fell 25-20 in the fourth and fell 3-1 in the match. Grace Juergens (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) led the attack with 14 kills as Juli De Acharan (Sevilla, Spain/IES Nestor Almendros) had 18 assists and Payton Malinoski (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township) had 25 digs defensively.

With the loss New Haven now awaits to see their ranking for the NCAA Regional Tournament that is set to begin December 5, as New Haven will look to make a deep run in the postseason.All updates, schedules, and post-match recaps for the team will be available at Newhavenchargers.com.