PATCHOGUE – The Mount Saint Mary College women’s volleyball team was unable to close out St. Joseph’s Long Island, falling to the Golden Eagles in five sets.
Mount Saint Mary was looking for revenge against St. Joseph’s Long Island after the Golden Eagles eliminated them in the first round of the Skyline Conference Playoffs last season.
The Knights got off to a good start, taking a 6-3 lead and capitalizing on some mistakes from St. Joseph’s. The Golden Eagles would take the lead after a 5-0 run, but that would not last. Julianna Simone aced 3 service attempts during a 6-0 run for the Mount to go back up 17-11. Any time Long Island tried to get back into the set, the Knights responded, and Simone would close out the set with a kill to win the first set 25-21.
The Mount got off to another hot start thanks to both Julianna Simone and Sofia Fredericks. As expected, the Golden Eagles would respond and tie the set back up. A big 7-2 run from the Knights midway through the set gave them a 17-12 lead. St. Joe’s rallied back to cut their deficit to one, 20-19, late in the set. With a little help from Ava DiScala, who led the match with 7 blocks, the Knights were able to finish off the second set, scoring 4 of the last 5 points and winning it 25-21.
With the Knights just one set away from victory, the Golden Eagles knew they were going to have to step up, and they did to start the set up 6-1. Mount Saint Mary battled back with 5 unanswered points as both teams traded blows. Up 24-19 late in the set, Long Island was at match point, but the Knights did not throw up the white flag, scoring 4 straight to make it 24-23. Unfortunately, the Golden Eagles got the point they needed and won the third set 25-23.
St. Joe’s got off to another good start, taking a quick 10-4 lead over the Mount. The Knights were down all set, but kills from Jonaiya Williams and Brooke Lavelle cut their deficit to just 2, 17-15, late in the set. The Golden Eagles still held the lead, and once again were up 24-19 at match point. The Knights once again attempted a late comeback, coming up just short as Long Island won the set 25-23 and forced a fifth set.
The Knights needed to start off the set hot. They were unable to do so, as the Golden Eagles took a commanding 12-1 lead in the final set that only goes to 15.
