HAMDEN, CT – The Saint Peter's women's volleyball team (3-5, 1-1) snapped a nine-year losing streak against Quinnipiac University (4-10, 1-1) with a dramatic five-set win on the road. Sophomore outside hitter Maliyah Labrie led the charge with a commanding performance, posting 24 kills and 26 points, while sophomore setter Cleopatra Diakou dished out a season-high 35 assists.
The win marks the first time Saint Peter's has defeated Quinnipiac since 2015, when they won 3-1. This time, the Peacocks displayed resilience, overcoming a tough fourth set to claim the fifth in a back-and-forth battle.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set 1:
The Bobcats came out strong in the first set, taking control early with back-to-back kills from junior sisters Yagmur and Dalma Gunes, followed by a service ace from graduate student Elena Giacomini. Saint Peter's got on the board with a kill from sophomore Karolina Rodriguez to make it 4-2, but Quinnipiac continued to apply pressure, extending their lead to 17-8 after a six-point run. Despite a late surge from Saint Peter's, including three kills from Labrie and an attack error by Quinnipiac that narrowed the deficit to 23-19, the Bobcats closed out the set with a service error from the Peacocks and a final kill by D. Gunes, taking it 25-19.
Set 2:
Saint Peter's regrouped in the second set, bouncing back with a dominant 7-0 run after Quinnipiac scored the first two points. The Peacocks' charge was led by Labrie and Rodriguez, who combined for four kills during the stretch, while Diakou and Rodriguez added a crucial block. Freshman Danielle Caligiuri chipped in with a service ace, giving Saint Peter's a commanding 7-2 lead.
Quinnipiac tried to claw back into the set, but Saint Peter's maintained at least a two-point cushion, eventually going on another four-point run. Labrie was unstoppable, delivering three consecutive kills that pushed the lead to 20-12. A final kill from sophomore Valeria Pagan Munoz and several Bobcat errors sealed the set for the Peacocks, 25-16, tying the match at 1-1.
Set 3:
Building on their momentum, Saint Peter's started the third set on fire, with back-to-back aces from Caligiuri and another kill from Labrie. The Peacocks controlled the early stages of the set, keeping a steady 2-3 point lead until they broke the game wide open with a seven-point run. Labrie continued her dominance with three more kills, while freshman Lagean Colon added a service ace to extend the lead to 14-5.
The Bobcats trimmed the deficit to five, at 15-10, but Saint Peter's answered with a barrage of offense. Pagan Munoz, senior Penelope Morales Rivera, and Labrie all contributed key kills, with Labrie also notching a service ace, helping the Peacocks regain a nine-point advantage at 19-10.
Although Quinnipiac fought back to within four points at 22-18, Saint Peter's closed the set on a strong note, capitalizing on a Bobcat error and two more kills from Labrie to win 25-18 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Set 4:
Quinnipiac responded aggressively in the fourth set, racing out to a 12-3 lead, taking full advantage of Peacock errors and strong play from Y. Gunes. The Bobcats kept their foot on the gas, going on another multi-point rally that extended their lead to 18-5.
Saint Peter's struggled to find their rhythm in this set, and Quinnipiac took full control, closing it out with five consecutive points, including four kills from Giacomini, senior Alexandra Tennon, and sophomore Leilani-Kai Giusta. The Bobcats cruised to a 25-8 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
Set 5:
The deciding set lived up to its billing, as both teams traded points in a fierce battle. Quinnipiac struck first with a kill from Y. Gunes, but Labrie quickly answered to tie the score at 1-1. After two more Bobcat kills, Saint Peter's went on a four-point run to take a 7-4 lead, with Rivera Morales contributing a key kill and Quinnipiac committing several costly errors.
The Bobcats capitalize on three straight Peacock errors to reclaim a 10-9 advantage. However, Saint Peter's wasn't done. Kills from Rivera Morales and Labrie, coupled with a Quinnipiac error, pushed the Peacocks ahead 12-10.
Quinnipiac fought back again, tying the score at 12-12 following an ace from D. Gunes. Saint Peter's reached match point at 14-12 after a Labrie kill and a block from Diakou and Rodriguez, but Quinnipiac saved match point twice, even holding a match point of their own at 15-14.
With the match on the line, Saint Peter's dug deep. A critical double block by Diakou and Rodriguez and two Quinnipiac errors sealed the 17-15 win for the Peacocks, ending the match and their nine-year drought against the Bobcats.
Inside the Numbers:
-
Labrie finished with a match-high 24 kills and added 26 points.
-
Rivera Morales contributed 11 kills and ten digs.
-
Rodriguez tallied seven kills, hitting .429 for the match.
-
Diakou set a season-high with 35 assists and added six blocks.
- Pagan Munoz recorded a season-high 15 digs.
Up Next:
The Peacocks will make their home debut on Wednesday, October 2, when they face MAAC rival Rider University at Run Baby Run Arena in the Yannitelli Recreation Center in Jersey City, NJ. First serve is scheduled for 7 PM.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
