The entrance of a new month was not accompanied with a win for the Setters.
The Panthers of Adelphi University ventured into Goldstein Fitness Center and bested the Setters 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, and 25-22) for their third Northeast-10 Conference win of the season.
Adelphi had advantages in certain statistical categories throughout the evening. The Panthers tallied 39 assists throughout the match compared to 29 from Pace. Adelphi also totaled 46 kills in the match compared to just 34 from Pace. The Panthers also got 40 digs on the evening compared to the Setters’ 31.
The visitors rode on the strength of middle blocker Kaitlyn DeStefano and her 16.5 points on the night. In addition, the Panthers got 30 assists from Katie Bryson throughout the game. Also, Samantha Rico, Colleen Raga, and Chelsea Overholt totaled 8.5 points each to foster a balanced attack from the Panthers.
Pace was able to get quality production from their players, as well. Senior communications major Tamilee Webb put up a total of 11 points throughout three sets of play. In addition, senior education major Nora Rugova tallied eight points of her own. Also, sophomore biology major Brooke Speyerer totaled 16 assists on the night.
Both the Setters and Panthers performed well throughout the first set. There was never more than a five point gap between the two teams, and the Setters held the lead for the early part of the set. However, the Panthers racked up kill after kill to alter the score and take the first set 25-21.
Mistakes were plentiful from both teams in the second set, yet the miscues haunted Pace more so than Adelphi. The Setters committed 10 out of the set’s 11 errors. Adelphi lead for the duration of the second set and, at one point, had a 10 point lead (18-8) over Pace. The Panthers tallied 14 kills to take the match’s second set 25-14.
The match’s final set was a tug-o-war for momentum throughout. Pace jumped out to an early 10-8 point lead on strong team play. However, DeStefano, Raga, and Overholt kept up their barrage of points to swing the pendulum of momentum in favor of the visitors. The Panthers hunt ended in victory as they took the final set by a score of 25-22.
With this loss, Pace drops to 6-13 overall with a record of 0-2 in the NE-10 this season.
The Setters will be at home on Sat. for another NE-10 match up against the Greyhounds of Assumption College.