Wildcats rally to best Seahawks in 5

SEAHAWK WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL RESULTS
Johnson & Wales 3, Salve Regina 2
Newport, R.I. - Rodgers Recreation Center
Friday, October 8, 2021

Summary
NEWPORT, R.I. - After a 23 day wait to resume play the Johnson & Wales (RI) women's volleyball team defeated Salve Regina University 3-2 (25-16, 19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-4) in non-conference action Friday evening.

The Seahawks and Wildcats began the match on September 15, but play was halted after the second set with the match tied 1-1 due to poor surface conditions. The match resumed today at the start of the third set.

Series and Streaks
The Wildcats are 12-5 all-time versus Salve Regina and have won the last three meetings.

Three Stars of the Match

1. Johnson and Wales sophomore Peyton Oliver (Ramsey, N.J.) collected 12 kills and seven blocks, four solo and three assisted.
2. Johnson & Wales freshman Masina Tupea (Aiea, Hawii) had 17 kills to equal a match-high and grabbed 11 digs for a double-double.
3. Salve Regina senior Nicole Karabaich (Greenlawn, N.Y.) posted a double-double with 17 kills and 16 digs.

Turning Point
Salve Regina claimed the third set to begin the resumption, but the Wildcats quickly jumped to a lead in the fourth. The Seahawks rallied to take a 10-9 lead forcing a Johnson & Wales timeout. After the stoppage the Wildcats outscored the Seahawks 9-2 to retake the lead. A 3-0 run late aided by Wildcats errors kept the Seahawks alive, but an Isabella Alfonso (San Juan, Puerto Rico) kill handed the Wildcats the fourth set by a 25-22 final. In the fifth the Wildcats raced out to a 5-1 lead and never trailed. An 8-1 run closed things out for the visitors to cap a comeback victory.

Quick Hits

• Emily Corbett (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) paced the Wildcats defense with 22 digs while Kyra Hissner (Clinton, N.J.) led the team with 23 assists.
• Salve Regina had five players with double-digit digs, led by libero Kate Murphy who collected 22.
• Katelyn Murphy (Bridgeport, Pa.) led the Seahawks offense with a 43 assist, 10-dig, double-double.

Quotables
"Credit to Johnson & Wales in the fifth, their offense took control and won them the match. Obviously, a strange situation for both teams, to resume a match after 23 days. Our girls did a good job of digging in during the third and fourth sets, just couldn't start fast in the fifth and we ran out of time. Overall, a very competitive match against a quality opponent." - head coach Sebastian Noordzy.

Next Up
Salve Regina (8-6, 3-1 CCC) will host Worcester State at 1 p.m., on Saturday, October 9. Johnson & Wales (10-5) returns home to host Emmanuel and Saint Joseph's (Conn.) beginning at 10 a.m.