BUFFALO, N.Y. — D'Youville (15-12, 8-3 ECC) earned a 3-1 victory over Queens (NY) (3-23, 1-10 ECC) on Saturday at Saints Center Gym, using a pair of late-set rallies to secure the win.
The Saints finished with 53 kills and a .263 hitting percentage while holding Queens (NY) to 41 kills and a .169 hitting percentage. D'Youville also recorded 10 service aces, led by four from Melissa Bracero.
D'Youville opened the match with a strong first-set performance, breaking a 7-7 tie with five consecutive points to take control. Giselle Ramirez contributed an ace during the run, while Gabrielle Dials, Madeline O'Brien and Cameron Ulinski each added kills. The Saints closed the set with four straight points, highlighted by kills from Maddie Boglev and Ulinski before a Bracero ace secured the 25-17 victory.
Queens (NY) evened the match in the second set, holding off a late D'Youville push to take a 25-21 decision. The Saints cut the deficit to one at 22-21 following a Ulinski block and an O'Brien kill off an Ashley Ballou assist, but Queens (NY) scored the final three points to even the match at one set apiece.
The Saints responded in the third set, using a 5-1 stretch to turn a 10-9 deficit into a 14-11 advantage. Ulinski recorded three kills during the run, while Ramirez added a kill to tie the set. After Queens (NY) pulled even at 16-16, D'Youville regained control with kills from Boglev and Dials, along with an Angelyn Jaramillo service ace. Ulinski helped close out the set with a kill as the Saints secured a 25-20 victory.
D'Youville completed the win with a fourth-set rally after falling behind 11-6. O'Brien served six consecutive points to give the Saints a 13-11 lead. Following a Queens (NY) run that tied the set at 15-15, D'Youville responded with another six-point stretch, including five consecutive points with Ulinski serving. Ulinski delivered an ace during the run, while Boglev, Dials and Ulinski each recorded kills. Ulinski finished the match with her 17th kill, securing the 25-21 set victory and the 3-1 match win.
Ulinski led the Saints with 17 kills and 21.5 points, adding three service aces, nine digs and two blocks. Ballou recorded 46 assists, four digs and two blocks, while Bracero finished with team highs of four service aces and 13 digs. Boglev contributed nine kills while hitting .438 and added two blocks.
Up next for the Saints: D'Youville returns to the Saints Center tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 8, to host Mercy University at 11 a.m.
