ROCHESTER, N.Y. — D'Youville University rallied after dropping the opening set to defeat Roberts Wesleyan 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-23) on Saturday. The Saints won three straight sets to secure the road victory, with Cameron Ulinski leading the way with 20 kills.
D'Youville finished with 44 kills and a .146 hitting percentage, narrowly edging Roberts Wesleyan's 45 kills and .144 mark. Ulinski led all Saints with 20 kills, 13 digs and 23.0 points, while Ashley Ballou distributed 34 assists and added three service aces and eight digs.
The Saints nearly took the opening set after rallying from a 16-14 deficit. Two service aces from Giselle Ramirez helped D'Youville move in front, and a block by Gabrielle Dials and Ramirez later gave the Saints a 23-21 advantage. Roberts Wesleyan responded with four consecutive points to claim the set, 25-23.
D'Youville answered in a tightly contested second set, overcoming a late 23-21 deficit to even the match. Ballou sparked an earlier five-point run with three service aces, helping the Saints turn a 13-12 deficit into a 17-13 lead. After Roberts Wesleyan tied the score at 24-24, Ulinski delivered the decisive kill to give D'Youville a 26-24 victory.
The Saints carried that momentum into the third set, overcoming an early 12-8 deficit with five straight points to take a 13-12 lead. Ulinski recorded three kills during the run, while Lauren Scully added back-to-back service aces to put D'Youville ahead 18-16. The Saints maintained their advantage late, as Maddie Boglev finished the set with a kill from Ballou for the 25-22 win.
D'Youville closed out the match in another close fourth set. After Roberts Wesleyan moved ahead 21-20, Ramirez answered with a kill before Ulinski delivered two more kills to help the Saints tie the score at 22 and later take a 24-23 lead. Ulinski and Boglev then combined for a block to seal the 25-23 set victory and clinch the match.
Along with Ulinski's standout performance, Dials contributed six kills, nine digs and six total blocks. Boglev added four kills on a .267 hitting percentage and matched Dials with six total blocks, while Ramirez provided a key presence at the net and from the service line.
Up next: D'Youville returns home to the Saints Center on Sunday, Oct. 11, to host Daemen University at 11 a.m.
