NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The College of New Rochelle welcomed undefeated Rutgers Newark to the Wellness Center Thursday night in the Blue Angels home opener in front of a rowdy and spirited crowd. A strong start and an intense finish resulted in a thrilling 3-1 win that improved CNR to 2-2 while handing Rutgers Newark their first loss of the season.
CNR won games by scores of 25-18, 25-23, 20-25, and 25-22.
Things started off a little shaky for CNR as the team was consumed with service errors as they committed seven of their 20 in the first period. Fortunately, Rutgers Newark was unable to take advantage as they hit negative and CNR rolled to a 25-18 win. Freshmen Imani Debose (Carson, CA) and freshmen Cristal Liciaga (San Juan, PR) each had three kills in the opening game.
The intensity and the crowd noise increased in game two as CNR pulled out to a 21-13 lead. But Rutgers Newark’s Cassie Luken served five straight points to bring the game in range. Up 22-18, CNR rallied with the Scarlet Raiders on the next point, which included an action packed, 16 back-and-forth attempts… which ended on a point for Rutgers and closed the gap to 22-19. But, up 24-23, CNR would get the game winner on a kill by sophomore Fabiola Padilla Rios (San Juan, PR).
Up 2-0, CNR looked poised to take it in three, as they ran out to a 5-1 lead. But moments later Rutgers rallied to take a 15-11 lead and forced CNR into a time out. The teams traded points the rest of the way until CNR fell 25-20.
The fourth set was the same start, but different team. After Rutgers pulled out to a 4-1 lead, freshmen libero Brianna Garcia (San Juan, PR) served three straight points to tie the game. Later in the game, with CNR down a point 19-20, sophomore Tamara Beckford (Bronx, NY) caught fire. Her block tied the game and several points later she slammed down the match winning point – much to the liking of the student body.
Debose led the way for the Blue Angels with 12 kills, while Padilla Rios added 11 kills and team-high 15 digs and nine aces. Senior Melanie Ann Lopez Soto (Gurabo, PR) had a solid night with 24 assists and seven aces.
CNR has a week long break before travelling to the Union College Tournament on Sept 16th at 8:00pm.