JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Saint Peter's women's volleyball battled one of the conference's top teams Niagara to the fifth set, ultimately falling to the Purple Eagles in the Peacocks' first match that went the distance since 2019.
Saint Peter's was able to open a two sets to one lead thanks to senior Alanis Alvarado's stellar double-double outing -- putting up 18 kills for her second-highest total of the season and a season-high 21 digs. Freshman Lily Barnhill also had her first career double-double with 10 kills and a season-high 11 digs, while graduate setter Wildalys Soto was the third Peacock to record a double-double with 40 assists and 16 digs.
The Basics
Score: Niagara 3, Saint Peter's 2 (24-26, 25-15, 25-20, 22-25, 5-15)
Records: Saint Peter's (2-27, 1-16 MAAC), Niagara (13-13, 10-7 MAAC)
Location: Run Baby Run Arena | Jersey City, NJ
Match Summary
The Peacocks had the first set point in a tight opener that featured 12 lead changes. Back-to-back kills late in the first frame from senior Angeleyshka Curbelo put Saint Peter's ahead 24-23, but Niagara managed to side out on set point and closed on a 3-0 run to take the opener, 26-24.
Picking up where it left off in a sweep of Manhattan last Sunday, Saint Peter's found its form with a dominant performance in the second set. The Peacocks jumped out to a 14-12 lead, then freshman defensive specialist Charlee Cordts rattled off two aces in her 5-0 service run to help Saint Peter's take control. The Peacocks maintained the momentum down the stretch to earn the 25-15 second set win.
The Saint Peter's attack got into a rhythm in the third set, rattling off a match-high .233 hitting percentage in the frame. At 22-20 in the set, the Peacocks closed it out on a 3-0 run that included a key service ace from senior captain Andrea Lombeyda.
After trailing by as many as five in the middle of the fourth set, Saint Peter's battled back to tie the frame at 19-19. Niagara put together a 3-0 lead following a timeout to reopen its lead, then managed to side out at each opportunity down the stretch to earn the 25-22 fourth set victory. The Purple Eagles continued their momentum into the fifth, finishing the match 15-5 thanks to an impressive defensive performance in the closing stages.
Notes
- Alvarado's double-double is her eighth of the season. It's also the second time in three matches that she has registered at least 18 kills in a match. Her season-high in kills prior to last weekend was 17 against Marist in early October.
- Curbelo surpassed 750 career kills with her 11-kill performance. It's the fifth time this season that she has registered double-digit kills in a match.
- Cordts had a career-high three service aces in the match. She is now second on the team with 19 aces this season.
- Soto's 40 assists are good for her second highest total of the season. Her double-double outing today was the 30th of her career and 13th of the season.
Up Next
The Peacocks wrap their season on Sunday (Nov. 14) with a Senior Day match against Canisius. The contest will get underway at 1 p.m. and air live on ESPN+.
