Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (9/27/2017) – The net play of the frontcourt kept Chestnut Hill College in this evening's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) match at Holy Family University as the Griffins combined for nine team blocks in effort to slow the Tigers. Unfortunately, Holy Family University overcame the Scarlet and Gold defense to take the first of two conference meetings by a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-24) final. Senior right side Samantha Gelfan (Chandler, Ariz.) scored a team-high 8.5 points on seven kills and three block assists, while freshman middle hitter Ragen Baldwin (Lancaster, Pa.) headlined the Griffin defense with five blocks (1 solo, 4 assists) of her own.
 
The match opened with three straight aces from senior libero Cecelia Weir (Warminster, Pa.), staking Holy Family University (9-6, 4-1) to a 3-0 lead. A 5-1 Chestnut Hill College (2-13, 1-4) run, highlighted by an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Janie Green (Hayes, Va.), and rendered the Griffins a 5-4 edge. The frame tied several times after that before the Scarlet and Gold separated for a 16-9 advantage on the service of sophomore outside hitter Reily Byxbee (Madison, Conn.) and senior libero Peyton Reno (Wilmington, Del.). But the Tigers tied the set back up at 17-17 before overcoming the Griffins in a competitive 25-22 end (1-0).
 
The second set was even tighter and tied fives before the Tigers emerged from a 13-13 tie. The Griffins paced them there with a few kills from Gelfan, aces from junior setter Kennedy Sutton (Chesapeake, Va.) and Green, and some hustle. Unfortunately, Holy Family University led the rest of the way, distancing themselves by four points, 17-13, before holding off the Scarlet and Gold in a 25-23 final (2-0). Closer still, the third set was tied 11 times between stalemates of 11-11 and 24-24, before concluding in the home team favor, 26-24.
 
Junior middle hitter Chase Wassel (North Wales, Pa.) was the Tigers' top hitter with a match-high 20 kills, an assist, two aces, 15 digs, and three blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Gianna Pesongnelli (Phoenix, Ariz.) was her accomplice as she offered 13 kills and a block. Senior setter Kacie Brien (Turnersville, N.J.) offered 42 assists and 10 digs in the mix, while sophomore libero Jillian Boyle (North Andover, Mass.) hustled to 21 digs.

Gelfan added two digs to her scoring plays. Baldwin finished the affair with four kills, and five blocks (1 solo, 4 assists). Sutton offered three kills, 18 assists, an ace, eight digs, and two blocks. Byxbee finished with four kills, 10 digs, and two blocks, while Reno supplied an assist, and three aces in excess of her 21 digs.
 
The Chestnut Hill College women's volleyball team continues their CACC schedule on Saturday, September 30, when they visit Concordia College (NY) for a 1:00 p.m. match.