Box Score DANBURY, CONN. – Three players recorded double-digit kills as the University of Hartford volleyball team opened the season with a five-set (25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-12) victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy Saturday on the campus of Western Connecticut State.
Sophomore
Isabella Labrada led the team with a career-high 14 kills, while sophomore
Sydney Ball recorded 11 kills, and freshman
Zahara Quraishi added 10 kills. The setter tandem of sophomore
Kylee Connally and freshman
Liahnna Orange combined for 36 assists, 18 each.
Ball and Quraishi proved to be two-way performers, leading the team with 25 and 21 digs, respectively. It was a career-best for Ball and the second time in her career with at least 20 digs. Quraishi also registered three solo blocks and three block assists in the win.
The two teams alternated set victories over the first four sets, and Hartford had a 9-5 lead in the fifth set.
USMMA battled back with four straight points to knot the game at nine and force a timeout. Following the stoppage, the Hawks responded with four consecutive points of their own and secured the 15-12 win for the match.
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES
- It was Hartford's first fall season-opening victory in the past decade. The only other season-opening win game during the truncated spring 2021 season.
- Labrada recorded her third double-figure kill match of her career, while Ball – a transfer from Nichols – finished with her four collegiate double-figure kill match.
- Connally has finished with double-figure assists for the 14th time in her career.
- Eight different players – Kalle Legassey, Hannah Pena, Jenna Murphy, Jordan Murphy, Maya Kozlowski, Ball, Orange, and Quraishi – all played their first matches in a Hartford uniform.
- The first scheduled match against Western Connecticut State was postponed after an injury occurred in the first set.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (1-0) returns to action 6 p.m. Tuesday, hosting Wesleyan at the Chase Family Arena. It will be the season opener for the Cardinals.
