Lady AMCATS Post First GNAC Win, Tie School Record

Anna Maria College's Jessica Goulet and Jacqueline Clinton led the AMCATS with seven kills apiece, while Michelle Connolly had a match-high 16 digs as the women's volleyball team downed Albertus Magnus 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in New Haven.

Anna Maria (9-11, 1-5 GNAC) won all three sets but not without a Falcon fight as the sets were close. The AMCATS won the sets 25-22, 25-19, 25-20. With the win the AMCATS posted their first win in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play, since joining the league is 2011. The ninth win of the season also ties a franchise record for wins in a season set in 2001.

The Falcons' leader in digs was sophomore Alyssa Puccilli (Milford, Conn.) with 12 on the afternoon.  Leanna Velez (Waterbury, Conn.) added seven, while Manning and Dy had six each, respectively.  Freshman Caitlin Prete (Milford, Conn.) tallied seven kills to go along with five digs.  Amber Cohens (Hamden, Conn.) tallied seven kills in 20 tries.

Anna Maria jumped out to a 7-4 advantage in the first set as Alyssa Haberman notched back-to-back kills. After the Falcons cut the score to within one at 12-11, Anna Maria went on a 9-5 run to take a 21-16 lead.  The Falcons battled back again to make the score 23-21 on an Amber Cohens' kill but the AMCATS used kills by Jessica Goulet and Clinton to secure the 25-22 victory.

Anna Maria jumped out in the second set, taking an early 3-1 lead. Play remained close and the Falcons took a 10-8 lead thanks to an Anna Maria miscue at the net.  With the score tied at 11, Anna Maria pulled ahead, taking a 16-11 lead on a kill by Goulet prior to an Albertus timeout.

Out of the break, the AMCATS went on an 8-5 run to take a commanding 24-16 lead.  The Falcons got three-straight points to get to 19 before an attack error by the Falcons gave the AMCATS the win.

In the final set, Albertus controlled play early on as the Falcons took a 7-3 lead out of the gate. The AMCATS eventually tied the score at 11 before taking the lead.  With the score tied again at 15, Anna Maria pushed ahead to take a 19-16 lead then a Clinton kill gave her team a 22-18 advantage.  Anna Maria ended the match with a 5-2 run to take the 25-20 set victory.

Anna Maria returns to action on Tuesday evening when they host Southern Maine at 7:00pm. It is the 3^rd annual Dig Pink Night, supporting the Sideout Foundation in an effort to promote Breast Cancer Awareness.