Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University volleyball team hosted cross town rival, Molloy College on Tuesday, September 17 in a non-conference contest at the Center for Recreation and Sports. The Panthers out lasted the Lions, 3-2 (25-16, 20-25, 29-27, 12-25, 15-13) and improved to 2-4 overall, while Molloy falls to 3-5.

Colleen Raga led all players with 16 kills, while Kaitlyn DeStefano added 15 and Haley Blunt posted 12. Sierra Crook led the charge defensively with 19 digs, while Blunt managed 11 to complete her double-double and Katie Bryson kept the offense running with 38 set assists.

The first set was a back and forth affair early, but a DeStefano kill at 13-12 sparked a 12-4 Panther run that gave Adelphi a 25-16 first game win. The second game was also tight throughout and saw Molloy clinging to a one point lead late, 20-19, thanks to a DeStefano effort. However, the Lions responded with  a kill from Spencer Williams and scored six of the final seven points to roll to a 25-20 game two win that evened the match at one all.

The third game went into bonus volleyball thanks to a Mandy Stanislovaitis kill that turned a 25-24 Molloy lead into a 25-25 game and stole a win from the Lions. From there Adelphi would get four of the final six points, including two more kills from Stanislovaitis to pull out a 29-27 win and go up 2-1. Unfortunately Adelphi could not close out Molloy in the fourth game. Everything in game four was clicking for the Lions as they posted a 25-12 victory, forcing a fifth and final game.

Adelphi turned a 3-3 game into a 6-3 advantage with three quick points, including getting a kill from Raga and a service ace from her as well. However, Molloy was not done, playing their way back into the game and tying the action at 10 with a Cassie Palmer kill. But, another DeStefano hammer stole the momentum and shut the door, leading to a 5-3 run that gave the Panthers a 15-13 victory and the match, 3-2.

Coach's Comments
"Tonight was a tough game and a major learning experience and step forward for our young team," explained head coach Danielle MacKnight. "I was impressed with the way that Colleen and Kaitlyn stepped up and showed leadership and I think that we learned a little more about who we are tonight."

Up Next
Adelphi returns to the court this weekend at the Wilmington University tournament, where they will face Millersville and Wilmington on Friday and Holy Family and NYIT on Friday.