Jersey City, NJ- In their first home match of the 2012 season, the Saint Peter's University volleyball team was defeated by Providence College 3-1 (18-25, 20-25, 29-27, 25-22). The Peacocks battled throughout the entire contest and managed to come away with a third set victory to force game four. Three players finished in double-digit kills for Saint Peter's- Laura Reinhart (16), Lauren Behrens (13) and Brittany Smith (12).
The Peacocks managed to keep close early on in set one, fueled by 3 Friar unforced errors. An overpass block by Kassi Wirth brought Saint Peter's within 1 at 6-5, but Providence proceeded to go on a 5-1 run (11-6) to forced Head Coach Andrew Brown to burn his first time out of the set. The home team managed to cut the deficit to three points (15-12), but Providence outscored the hosts 10-6 to close out the frame. Kassi Wirth hit a blistering .750 (3-4) in the set to lead the Peacocks, while Kristina Baehr came up with 6 assists and 4 digs.
Saint Peter's found themselves in a hole to begin the second game, down 10-3. Anna Russian paced the Friars during the time, serving seven consecutive points and recording 2 aces. The visitors established their largest lead at 20-9, however Saint Peter's clawed back into the game by way of a 7-0 run to come within 5 at 20-15. During the run, the Friars committed 3 unforced errors. Brown's squad came as close as 4 points on two separate occasions (22-18, 24-20), but two critical missed serves, including one on game point, gave Providence the win.
The third set began with both teams exchanging points, until the Friars put together a 5-0 run to establish a 14-9 lead. Saint Peter's chipped away at the advantage, and was able to tie the game on multiple occasions at 22-22, 23-23, 24-24, 25-25 and 26-26. The Peacocks got their first lead of the match at 27-26, on a deep free-ball kill by Brittany Smith, misplayed by the Friars. Providence immediately bounced back to earn the side-out on a put-away from Mackenzie Ziegler, but Saint Peter's regained a one-point advantage on a kill from Lauren Behrens. The hosts achieved the set three win on an out-of-system down-ball kill to the deep corner from sophomore setter Kristina Baehr. Laura Reinhart led all hitters in the frame with 9 kills on 19 attacks (.421), while Behrens added 6.
Back to back solo blocks in the middle by Stephanie Mills gave Saint Peter's their first lead of set four at 7-6. The Peacocks were able to stay within one until the Friars jumped in front 16-12 aided by 6 Saint Peter's errors. Again, Brown's squad showed their resilience, clawing away at the deficit and coming within two at 20-18 to force a Providence timeout. Saint Peter's resumed play following the break by scoring a point, but the Friars came up with consecutive blocks to go in front 22-19. The Peacocks nearly pulled away with the upset, but again missed serves proved costly & the Friars prevailed 25-22.
Sophomore right side Brittany Smith hit a team high .364, connecting on 12 of 22 attacks. Behrens finished with a double-double, coming away with 12 digs to add to her 13 putaways. Jenny Pliska tied for the match-high in digs with 17, while Baehr dished out a team-high 38 assists.
Saint Peter's will return to action this Friday, August 31st as they travel to Easton, PA for the Lafayette College Tournament. They will face off against Fairleigh Dickinson, Lafayette and Delaware State in the tournament.