Box Score

Bridgeport, CT - The Adelphi University volleyball traveled to the University of Bridgeport to compete in the NCAA Division II East Regional for the seventh year in a row on Thursday, December 5. The fifth seeded Panthers lined up opposite the fourth seeded Chargers of New Haven and took a 2-0 lead with wins in game one and two of 25-21 and 25-20. However, New Haven tied the contest at two, 21-25 and 19-25 and then closed out the game, 15-17.

Kaitlyn DeStefano led all players with 17 kills and added six total blocks, while Mandy Stanislovaitis chipped in 16 kills and nine digs and Shelby Stoner had 13 kills. Defensively, Sierra Crook and Haley Blunt collected 13 digs each and Katie Bryson reached double figures with 10 digs to go with her game-high 54 assists.

Adelphi jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first game and led 17-10 late in the set. However, the Chargers mounted a comeback, scoring 11 of the next 16 points to pull within one, 22-21, on a Panther miscue. But, the Brown and Gold would score the final three points of the first game on a kill from Raga, a block from Stanislovaitis and DeStefano and then an absolute hammer from DeStefano to steal a 25-21 win.

The Panthers bolted out to a 4-0 lead in the second game, but a quick, 4-1 spurt by the Chargers closed the gap to just one point, 5-4. However, Adelphi answered with a 6-1 run that was capped by a UNH error to take a lead they would not relinquish, 11-6. The Brown and Gold would lead 22-15, but New Haven used a 5-2 run to make things interested at 24-20, before a Stoner kill put Adelphi ahead, two games to none, 25-20.

The third set started like the second, with Adelphi taking a very early lead, 3-0. But, this time the Chargers had a resounding response, a 6-1 that turned a three point hole to a two point lead. The Chargers were not done, putting the Brown and Gold in their biggest deficit of the game, 16-10 on a Panther error before closing out the game with a Kennelly kill to force a fourth game, 25-21.

Adelphi shuffled out to a 11-6 lead in game four, forcing a Charger time out at that mark, thanks to a Bryson service ace. However, New Haven used a 14-5 run to return the favor, forcing a Panther time out and taking a 20-16 lead. Despite Adelphi's best efforts, the Chargers picked up a 25-19 win in game four, forcing a deciding fifth game.

The fifth and final set developed into a back and forth contest early, with no team able to take more than a two point lead. A Bryson service error at the turn gave the Chargers a 8-6 edge, but Adelphi kept the pressure on and knotted the game at nine on a big swing from Stanislovaitis. The game continued to be close and was still tied late, 11-11, but three straight points from New Haven put Adelphi's backs against the wall, 14-11.

The Brown and Gold responded with two points of their own to force a Charger time out at 14-13. An ace from DeStefano, followed by a Stoner kill would give Adelphi a 15-14 lead. Unfortunately, for the Panthers three straight points from the Chargers would close out the contest, 17-15, with the final point coming on an Adelphi attack error.

Adelphi closes out the season with an overall record of 19-13, having finished fourth in the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and earned a berth to the programs seventh straight NCAA Division II East Regional.