CCSU Drops Two Matches in First Day of Harvard Invitational

The CCSU volleyball team lost both of their matches in the Harvard Invitational today falling to 22nd ranked Long Beach State 3-0, and then dropping a match to Dartmouth by a score of 3-2. The Blue Devils are now 3-4 on the season and will play against the host Crimson tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

Long Beach State got off to a quick start in the opening match, defeating CCSU 25-9 in the first set. The 49ers didn't look back from there as they went on to win in three sets. Freshman Caitlin Ledoux led the 49ers with 11 kills, while seniors Nicole Vargas and Iris Murray recorded game highs of 30 assists and 10 digs, respectively.

Blue Devil sophomore Lauren Snyder finished with 11 kills and six digs in the match, while sophomore Amanda Bayer chipped in with 17 assists. Sophomore Kaitlin Petrella recorded six digs in the loss and junior Jamie Baumert led CCSU with two blocks.

In the second match of the day, Central Connecticut got back on track by winning the first two sets of the match against Dartmouth. The Big Green then went on to win three sets in a row to defeat the Blue Devils in the Harvard Invitational.

Bayer had an outstanding performance in the loss, recording her third 60 assist game of her career, while adding 15 digs and four service aces. Baumert finished with 17 kills on a match high .429 hitting percentage and recorded a team high six blocks. Snyder and Petrella led the Blue Devils with 20 kills and 18 digs, respectively.

Junior Megan MacGregor led Dartmouth with 17 kills and added 11 digs. Sophomore Natalia Wrobel had 40 assists and freshman Amber Bryant recorded 18 digs to lift the Big Green past CCSU.

CCSU is now 3-4 on the season and will face the host Crimson tomorrow in their final match of the Harvard Invitational. Dartmouth improves to 2-1 this season and will take on American University in the tournament tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.