The University of New Hampshire (UNH) volleyball team defeated the University of Albany 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 28-26, 25-20). Graduate student Alyssa Wright led the team in kills with 14 and blocks with 5 while first-year Jessica Shattles had a team-high 14 assists.
The pivotal third set was the most exciting of the game. UNH got off to a slow start,down 5-0 early before pulling themselves back into it. UNH would pull the set within one multiple times but was not able to tie it until a 6-point run knotted the teams up at 16-16 and eventually gave UNH a 19-16 lead.
UNH would maintain this lead heading into the set point up 24-21. However, Albany did not give up scoring 4 in a row to give themselves a chance to steal the set. The ‘cats would survive and tie it, then trade points before Alyssa Wright would hit a spike to give UNH the win 28-26.
Heading into the fourth set with a chance to close out the game, Coach Felicano felt “That they need to respect who they’re playing” he stated and also to “live in the moment no one cares if you win 25-5 or 27-25 to win being down in that third set and to be grateful of their teammates.”
The final set would see the ‘Cats be in control for most of it until Albany ripped off a 6-point run to take an 18-16 lead. Fighting back to tie it at 20 before Serbosek would clinch the win on a powerful spike.
Coach Felicano praised the Albany team afterward and their resilience “The team that I don’t like playing the most is Albany because no matter what their record is they always come in here and perform in a gritty way” he stated “They really really pushed us today”.
The game started in an unusual game. Almost right after the game started Coach Felicano was shown a yellow card after voicing his displeasure with the referees. “I wanted my team to know I’m fighting for them” he stated “There’s been a lot of moments this year where a lot of different people have stepped up that was my opportunity… they deserve to know there’s people in their corner.”
UNH would be in control most of the first set building and maintaining a 5-point lead, but Albany would make a late push to close the game to within two before senior Kelly Kaufman would end the set with a spike.
The ‘Cats would come out flat in the second set, allowing Albany to build 7 point lead. UNH would fight back bringing it as close as three, but Albany would put them away and win their only set 25-16.
