PATCHOGUE, NY – On Wednesday night, the Maritime College volleyball team resumed its Skyline Conference schedule with a matchup at St. Joseph's LI.  The Privateers (3-5, 1-1 Skyline) suffered their first conference loss of the season, dropping a 25-14, 25-12, 25-18 decision to the Golden Eagles (4-1, 1-0 Skyline) at the Danzi Athletic Center.

After Maritime scored the first four points of the match, St. Joseph's LI went on a 6-0 run.  The Golden Eagles extended their advantage to 12-7 before the Privateers used a 4-1 spurt to pull within two, 13-11. Maritime would get no closer, however, as St. Joseph's LI took the opening set by a 25-14 count.

The Golden Eagles opened up a 4-2 lead to start the second set, but Maritime rattled off the next three points to go in front.  The score was tied again at 5-5 and 6-6 before St. Joseph's LI won 19 of the final 25 points to wrap up the set, 25-12.

In the third set, Maritime jumped out to a 5-3 advantage.  St. Joseph's LI responded with a 5-1 rally to take an 8-6 lead before the Privateers tied it at 8-8.  The Golden Eagles scored five of the next six points, though, to go up 13-9.  After St. Joseph's LI reached match point at 24-16, Maritime fought off two opportunities.  The Golden Eagles eventually closed out the set, 25-18, to finish off the 3-0 victory.

Jessica Mele (Southold, NY) paced the Privateers with 13 digs and four kills.  Victoria Cordero (Bronx, NY) and Kateann Hennenberger (Garden City, NY) finished with six digs apiece, while Ashley Pavarini (Ossining, NY) tallied seven assists and two blocks.  Samantha Hart (Brooklyn, NY), meanwhile, had two of Maritime's five service aces.

For St. Joseph's LI, Madison Gremli led the way with 12 kills, and Jackie Wolf recorded nine kills to go along with 10 digs.  In addition to notching a team-best 11 digs, April Sexton notched five assists and three aces.  Katie D'Angelo finished with 22 assists, five digs and three aces for the Golden Eagles, who hit .250 (36 kills, 13 errors, 92 attempts) as a team.

Up next, the Privateers visit FDU-Florham (7-5) at 7 p.m. on Friday.  It will be the last of four straight matches Maritime plays away from home.