The Albertus Magnus women's volleyball team battled back from being down 2-1 to defeat the Bay Path College Wildcats 3-2 (17-25, 26-24, 24-26, 25-16, 17-15) in non-league action on Thursday night. With the victory, the Falcons improve to 4-3 on the year to tie their program record in wins.
After falling in the first set 25-17, the Falcons fell behind 24-16 in the second set as the Wildcats were just one point away from jumping ahead in the match 2-0. Albertus had a different plan for the set as the Falcons, led by freshman Alyssa Puccilli (Wallingford, Conn.), put together a 12-0 run to take a 26-24 set victory. Puccilli served out the final nine points in the frame, which consisted of five hitting errors by the Wildcats.
The third set was close as well as Bay Path took the win by two at 26-24. With the Falcons up 24-23, Bay Path used two kills and a service ace to take the set victory.
Albertus answered immediately with a dominating 25-16 win in the fourth set to force the match into a fifth frame. Despite the Wildcats jumping out to an early 4-0 lead, the Falcons won the race to eight as they took an 8-7 lead thanks to a kill from Lily Dy (Torrington, Conn.).
After the teams changed sides, Albertus pushed its lead to 14-10 on a Nicole Acerra (East Haven, Conn.) kill. Bay Path fought back though and was able to tie the set at 14 before the Falcons clinched the victory. With the score tied at 15, a kill by freshman Kelsey Pendagast (Milford, Conn.) and an attacking error by Bay Path's Amber Cohens secured the Falcons' 17-15 final.
Krista LaBissoniere (Meriden, Conn.) dished out 23 assists for the Falcons and had 15 digs, while Acerra added a team-high 18 digs. Pendagast registered a team-best eight kills on the night as well.
Kate Bartels led all players with 17 kills in 41 attempts, while Ashley Provost handed out an impressive 44 assists in the loss. For the Wildcats, it was just their second loss of the season as they move to 3-2 on the year.
Albertus will return to action on Saturday as the Falcons head up to Northfield, Vt. for a tri-match featuring host Norwich University along with Newbury College. The Falcons' first match of the day, against the Cadets, begins at noon.