BUFFALO, N.Y. — D'Youville rallied after dropping the opening set to defeat Assumption 3-1 on Friday in the Saints Center Gym, winning by scores of 21-25, 25-13, 25-16 and 25-20.
The Saints finished with advantages in kills (40-30), digs (55-41) and service aces (12-6), while holding Assumption to a .008 hitting percentage.
After falling behind 17-10 in the opening set, D'Youville battled back within two at 19-17 behind a kill and ace from Cameron Ulinski and a block from Hailey Ferwerda and Maddie Boglev. Assumption ultimately held on for the 25-21 win.
D'Youville responded with a dominant second set, using a 6-0 run to turn an 11-8 advantage into a 17-8 lead. Madeline O'Brien recorded a kill and ace during the run, while Ulinski added two kills as the Saints evened the match with a 25-13 victory.
The Saints took control in the third set with an 8-0 run from 15-13 to 23-13. O'Brien served the final seven points of the stretch and recorded three aces, while Giselle Ramirez added a block. Ulinski then finished the set with back-to-back kills.
Assumption took an early 5-0 lead in the fourth, but D'Youville answered to pull even at 9-9. With the set tied at 20-20, Ulinski delivered back-to-back kills before Ashley Ballou added an ace and Ferwerda finished the match with a kill, completing the 25-20 victory.
O'Brien and Ulinski each finished with 14 kills, with O'Brien adding four aces and 18 points. Ulinski totaled 16 points, seven digs and two aces. Ballou recorded 29 assists, 13 digs, four kills, three aces and three blocks, while Ferwerda added a team-high 14 digs and five kills.
The Saints return to action on Tuesday, September 22nd as they travel to Waterbury, Conn. for a match up with Post University.
