West Hartford, CT ? The University of Hartford women's volleyball team came up short against in-state rival Central Connecticut State University 3-1 (30-27, 30-32, 19-30, 23-30) on Wednesday night. The Hawks fall to 7-12 on the year, while CCSU improves to 12-7.
The Hawks came out strong taking the first game over the visiting Blue Devils, 30-27. Hartford tied the score five times in the first 20 points before taking their final lead of the game with a 6-0 run, to go ahead 15-10. The Blue Devils began to chip into the lead but would only come as close as a 19-19 tie. Hartford took a 29-25 lead on an error from the Blue Devils Jamie Baumert. Hartford closed out the game with a kill from Erin Macro. Jennifer Monroy led Hartford in the first game with six kills, eight digs, and an ace. Sarah Rasor helped contribute with ten assists, while Lauren Flores played a vital role in the back row with a pair of one-arm digs, finishing the first game with four total.
The Hawks continued their aggressive play in game two, taking an early 8-0 lead. Teri Connolly closed out the run with pair of aces while the Blue Devils struggled with four errors. The Blue Devils battled back late with a four and five point run. Central first teid the game at 27 and again at 28, 29 and 30 before scoring the final two points of the match, winning 32-30. Monroy again led the Hawks with six digs and six kills, while Rasor contributed with 12 assists.
After the long break between games two and three, the Blue Devils came out with a vengeance in the third game, pulling ahead 16-6. Hartford then used a six-point run to pull within four 16-12 on a Teri Connolly ace, one of seven in the match. Central dug deep pulling back ahead with three runs to win game three 30-19.
Hartford would again need to battle from behind in the fourth game after the Blue Devils pulled out to a 5-2 lead on a Hawks error. That lead was extended to 15-9 before the Hawks began to chip away, pulling it to 19-15. The Blue Devils opened it back up with their own four point run. Despite a late run from the Hawks, the Blue Devils took the final game by a Hawks attack error.
Monroy led the Hawks in the match with a total of 17 kills. She is now 54 kills away from her 1,000th career put down. Macro joined Monroy in double figures, the only other Hartford player with double digit kills. Macro finished with 10. Rasor finished the game with 38 assists, leading the Hawks offensive charge. Monroy led the Hawks defense with 18 digs while Flores added 13 and Hallie Fullagar added 12.
The Hawks return to action on Friday, when they travel to New Hampshire for a 7:00 p.m. America East match.
