Philadelphia, PA – (9/7/2011) – Playing for a raucous crowd at Sorgenti Arena, Chestnut Hill College gave a valiant effort in tonight's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) home opener. The Griffins gave the Georgian Court University all they could handle, but the Lions survived victorious, 3-1 (25-22, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22). Sophomore outside hitter Alex DePalma (Shillington, PA) and freshman setter Sidney Chukuntarod (San Francisco, CA) headlined the performance against the Lions, in which the Griffins claimed their first set off the perennial CACC power.

 

Chestnut Hill College (3-2, 0-1) made their presence felt early, challenging Georgian Court University (2-3, 1-0) through the duration of the opening set. DePalma helped the Griffins out of the gate with two aces and a pair of ferocious kills, but the Lions managed to stay one step ahead to collect a 25-22 win. The Griffins fired back in the second set, hitting .200 (8K-2E-30TA) as a team as they led the Lions the entire way and evened the match a 1-1 with a 25-19 win. With all things even it was anyone's match heading to the third set. The Lions reclaimed the upper hand with a 25-17 win, thanks to the play of sophomore outside hitter Tatiana Villariny Rodriguez (Rio Grande, Puerto Rico) who scored four kills and two aces in the frame. The Griffins looked to slow the Lions and pull equal in the fourth set, but it was not to be, as the Lions used an early 5-1 advantage to seal the 3-1 victory with a 25-22 win.

 

Rodriguez and junior outside hitter Amy Berry (Bayville, NJ) led the Lions with 11 kills apiece. Rodriguez also totaled four aces and nine digs, while Berry hustled to 11 digs to match the effort of freshman defensive specialist Dana Schroeder (Bordentown, NJ). Sophomore setter Jaslene Lopez (Coamo, Puerto Rico) totaled 41 assists.

 

DePalma led the Griffins offensively with 14 kills and four aces; she also contributed 12 digs on defense. Chukuntarod was equally versatile with 29 assists and ten digs. Freshman right side Katie Schock (Allentown, PA) pitched in with six kills and junior libero Liz DiGregorio (Conshohocken, PA) hustled to 15 digs.