TOWSON, Md. – The Saint Peter's women's volleyball team dropped its contests against La Salle and Coppin St in the final day of the Towson Invitational.
In the contest against La Salle, Amanda Colombo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) paced the Peacocks with 12 kills while Dayana Arrufat-Rondon (Trujillo, Puerto Rico/Carvin School) added eight kills in the loss.
Kelly Perillo recorded 17 kills for the Explorers while Ashley Felton finished with 11 kills.
Following a loss to Coppin St on Friday, La Salle (3-4) responded with a four-set victory against the Peacocks.
In the opening game, La Salle opened up with an 18-12 lead. Saint Peter's countered with three straight scores to trim the deficit. The Explorers responded with five consecutive points to extend its lead and take the first set, 25-19.
Second set, both teams exchanged points to knot the match at 15. The Peacocks used a 10-4 run to take the second set, 25-19.
In the third game, La Salle opened up with a 17-6 advantage to take the set, 25-13. The Explorers clinched the match victory in the fourth set, using an 11-3 start to win the final set, 25-15.
In the final contest of the Towson Invitational, Saint Peter's lost to Coppin St in a thrilling five-set match.
Opening set, both teams traded points with the Peacocks out in front, 17-16. The Eagles scored four straight points to take a 20-17 lead. Saint Peter's responded with a run of its own to tie the game at 20. The teams continued to battle back and forth, but Saint Peter's prevailed to take the opening set, 27-25.
In the second set, both teams went back and forth with Coppin St holding an 11-10 advantage. The Peacocks answered with eight straight points, fueled by three service aces from Arrufat to hold on for the 25-20 set victory.
Coppin St. (4-3) began to mount its comeback in the third set. Saint Peter's began the set taking a 15-12 lead. The Eagles went on an offensive surge, using a 13-4 run to take the set, 25-19.
Fourth set, both teams traded scores with Coppin St ahead 12-10. The Peacocks used six straight scores to take a 16-12 lead. Following a timeout, the Eagles countered with a 6-0 run to regain the lead. Each team continued to trade blows, knotting the contest at 23. The Eagles were able to outscore the Peacocks 3-1 to tie the contest and force a fifth set.
In the final set, Saint Peter's and Coppin St exchanged points to tie the set at 9. The Eagles used a 6-2 spurt to win the decisive set 15-11 and complete the comeback.
Lauren Behrens (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) tallied 14 kills in the loss to the Eagles. Kayla Howell (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia) finished with 19 digs while Brittany Smith (Egg Harbor Townsip, N.J./Egg Harbor Township) accounted with five blocks.
Arrufat was named to the Towson Invitational All-Tournament team, tallying 35 kills and 24 digs during the tournament.
Saint Peter's returns to action on Sept. 12, when the team travels to Bethlehem, Pa to compete in the Crosstown Tournament hosted by Lehigh University.
