NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The College of New Rochelle hosted the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Womens Volleyball action Thursday night at the Wellness Center, in what has become a rivalry of Cross County foes. Last year the Dolphins blanked CNR, but this year, CNR avenged the loss with a 3-1 victory. The win is CNR’s 7th straight and raised their record to 16-9, while CMSV falls to 10-15.
CNR jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead in the opening frame. But, CMSV leveled the contest at 14-14 moments later. New Rochelle would open up a late 22-18 lead thanks to the serving of sophomore Stephanie Garcia (Chino, CA), and eventually win 25-20.
The Blue Angels used that late momentum to run out to a 7-0 lead in the 2nd frame. This time it was the serve of senior Melanie Ann Lopez Soto (Gurabo, PR). She would finish the set with three aces and ended the night with a game-high six. CNR would go on to win the 2nd set easily 25-14.
In the third frame, the Dolphins came to life and literally the match went back and forth from opening serve to final serve. Neither team had more than a one point lead the entire frame, until the Dolphins served the final two points to take a 25-23 win and narrow the match score to 2-1.
But, CNR’s combo of freshmen Imani Debose (Carson, CA) and Cristal Liciaga (San Juan, PR) was too much for CMSV. The two tallied 25 kills on the night, whith Debose racking up five in the final frame. Senior Tiany Perez Diaz (Juncos, PR) had two aces and served five straight points midway through the set while freshmen Simaima Fukofuka (Garden Grove, CA) picked up a solo block and two of her five block assists in the set. It would prove vital as CNR rolled to the 25-17 win.
Debose led the way with 13 kills while Liciaga had 12. Lopez Soto had 14 assists, while Liciaga had 13. Freshmen Brianna Garcia (San Juan, PR) had another big night on the floor with 22 digs.
The Blue Angels will finish up HVIAC play on Saturday when they travel to Davis College to play the hosts and Pratt Institute.