QUEENS, N.Y. — D'Youville fell to Queens College in a competitive four-set match on Saturday at Fitzgerald Gymnasium, with scores of 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25. The Saints recorded seven service aces throughout the contest.
D'Youville began the first set with strong offensive play, taking an early 4-1 lead with key kills from
Cameron Ulinski and
Gabrielle Dials, both set up by Alina Bertens Deckart. Despite several service errors, the Saints maintained their edge, extending the lead to 11-4 with contributions from
Maddie Boglev and
Madeline O'Brien. Queens College challenged with a mid-set rally, tying the score at 18-18, but D'Youville responded with a kill from Boglev to briefly regain the lead. However, a sequence of service aces by Olivia Hyman shifted momentum to Queens, who captured the set 25-20.
In the second set, D'Youville seized momentum early, capitalizing on Dials' two kills and an attack error by Queens to gain a 3-0 lead. Despite a mid-set challenge from Queens College, who rallied to tie the score at 3-3 and later led 9-5, D'Youville responded robustly. Ulinski contributed two crucial kills, and
Giselle Ramirez delivered back-to-back service aces, helping the Saints reclaim the lead at 15-12. The visitors maintained their composure in the tight contest, extending their advantage to 20-17 with blocks by Ramirez and Dials. Queens College fought back to level the score at 23-23, but D'Youville clinched the set with a decisive kill by Ulinski and a service ace from Ramirez, narrowly winning 25-23.
D'Youville demonstrated resilience in the third set with a series of impactful plays, including a notable service ace by O'Brien, which brought the score to 5-4. Ulinski contributed significantly with multiple kills, maintaining pressure on the Knights' defense. Despite several service errors, D'Youville managed to stay competitive, with Ramirez delivering a crucial kill to level the score at 20-20. Queens College responded with a decisive run, taking advantage of the Saints' errors to pull ahead. Elizabeth Cerullo's kill and a service ace by Kylynn White helped the Knights gain momentum, ultimately securing the set with a 25-22 victory.
D'Youville opened the fourth set with a strong sequence, securing an early 4-0 lead. Boglev contributed with a block and a kill, while Dials and Bertens Deckart added points through an attack error and a successful kill, respectively. Queens College responded with a series of plays, including a kill by Kendall Conrad, to narrow the gap to 4-3. Despite maintaining a lead at 9-7, D'Youville faced a surge from Queens College, who leveled the score and eventually took a 13-9 advantage. The Saints fought back with critical kills from O'Brien and Dials, closing the margin to 18-19. However, Queens College capitalized on a series of plays, culminating in a 25-20 win for the set. The match concluded with the Knights securing victory, finishing with a score of 25-20 in the final set.
D'Youville will take on Molloy on Sunday, Nov. 1 in a critical game that could determine ECC playoffs. They are set to start at 11:00 a.m streamed on FloCollege.
