Easton, Pa. – The Saint Peter's women's volleyball team fell in a thrilling five-set match against non-conference opponent Wright St. on Friday afternoon.
Sophomore Lauren Behrens (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) finished with a team-high 11 kills. Freshman Meredith Przybocki (Pine Bush, N.Y/Pine Bush) played strong, contributing with nine kills. Senior Laura Reinhart (Belvidere, N.J./Union) and junior Dayana Arrufat-Rondon (Truyillo, Puerto Rico/Carvin School) both finished with seven kills.
In the first set, Wright St. started the set on an 11-6 run. Saint Peter's tried to respond with a run, but only managed to get within three points of tying. Wright St. continued to keep their foot on the gas and went on to win the first set, 25-13.
Second set, the Peacocks started out hot, going on a 15-6 run to start the set. Wright St. wasn't able to close the gap against the attacking of Behrens, Arrufat-Rondon and junior Kristina Baehr (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) as Saint Peter's won the second set, 25-19. This was the Peacocks first winning set of the season.
In the third set, the Peacocks and Raiders exchanged points to start the set with a 14-14 tie. Kills by Przybocki, Reinhart, Baehr and freshmen Kaitlyn Sitton (Brush Praire, Wash./Prairie) helped the Peacocks take a 23-17 lead in the set. The Raiders tried to make it a close finish, but Saint Peter's closed out a consecutive set, winning 25-22.
Fourth set, Wright St. started off the set going on a 20-9 run to jump out to an 11-point lead against the Peacocks. Saint Peter's wouldn't be able to close the gap, losing to Wright St. in the fourth set, 25-15.
Going into the deciding fifth set, Saint Peter's and Wright St. exchanged points as the Peacocks took a 9-6 lead. Following the start, Wright St. responded with a 6-1 run to take a 12-10. Back-to-back kills by Arrfuat-Rondon and another by Pryzbocki helped the Peacocks regain the lead by one. Wright St. took the set, scoring three consecutive points to win the set and match, 15-13.
Wright St. player Stephanie Ruffing finished with a game-high 17 kills. Heidi Splinter finished with 13 kills in the contest.
Senior Jenny Pliska (Portland, Ore./La Salle College Prep) tallied a game-high 20 digs. This is her back-to-back game with at least 20 digs.
The Peacocks return to action hours later to take on Fairleigh Dickinson at 7:00 p.m. at Lehigh.
