NEW YORK, NY - The Maritime College women's volleyball team fell to John Jay Wednesday night in a highly competitive five-set match in Manhattan. Despite the Privateers' winning the second set (25-8) and the fourth set (25-22), their efforts were not enough as the Bloodhounds closed out the final frame, 15-4.
In the first set, Maritime jumped out to an early 7-1 lead, thanks to three service aces from Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial), before seeing John Jay rattle off a 16-2 run to regain the lead. The Bloodhounds would close out the set 25-18.
The second set was dominated by the Privateers, as they hit at an .833 clip to the tune of ten kills. Maritime found themselves on a 14-1 run to finish the frame, highlighted by three kills from Celyna Custodio (Danbury, Conn./Danbury), including one for the 25th point.
The back and forth play continued into the third set as Custodio picked up another kill to tie the score at 12. Following a big kill from Meghan Eagleton (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham), the Privateers gained a 22-20 lead late in the set. However, the Bloodhounds responded with a 5-1 run to win the frame, 25-23.
In the 4th set, one that featured 12 score ties, Maritime proved they have no quit in them as they took a 25-22 win. Following a kill from Steele, and an ace from Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence), the Privateers secured a 14-12 lead, only to see the hosts knot the score back up at 19-19. Maritime would capitalize on errors from John Jay to regain a 23-20 lead, and then on back-to-back kills from Custodio and Steele, would take the set, 25-22 to force a fifth and final frame.
In the deciding set, the Bloodhounds surged to a 11-1 lead and it was too late for the Privateers to mount a comeback, eventually falling 15-4.
Custodio tallied a match-high 16 kills, while Steele and Eagleton finished with nine and eight, respectively. Kirchner dished out 32 assists, and led the defensive effort with 13 digs, along with Abby Solomos (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) chipping in eight as well.
Maritime will be on the road again on Saturday, September 7, as they compete in a tri-match at Rutgers-Newark in Newark, NJ. The Privateers will take on Baruch at 1:00 PM, followed by the hosts at 3:00 PM.
