Philadelphia, Pa. – (9/22/2018) – After dropping the first two sets to Nyack College, 25-21 and 25-23, Chestnut Hill College was able to force a deciding set in today's opening Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) match with recovery wins of 25-20 and 26-24. Unfortunately, the tiebreaker went back and forth, before eventually settling in the Warriors' favor, 15-13 (L, 3-2; 25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 24-26, 15-13). In the latter non-conference tilt versus Pace University, the Setters emerged from a 1-1 tie with overpowering set wins of 25-8 and 25-16, rendering the Griffins winless on the afternoon (L, 3-1; 25-20, 24-26, 25-8, 25-16). Junior outside hitter Reily Byxbee (Madison, Conn.) was the top player for the Scarlet and Gold, totaling 31 kills - on a .259 (31K-10E-81TA) hitting percentage – in a pair of double-double performances.
 
Nyack College (5-9, 4-2) opened the first set of the afternoon with a 7-0 run. Unfortunately, Chestnut Hill College (4-10, 2-4) never recovered as the Warriors maintained their advantage all the way to a 25-21 (1-0) end. The Warriors carried an edge in the second set as well, until a pair of aces from junior libero Janie Green (Hayes, Va.) knotted the score at 22-22 and pushed the Griffins to a 23-22 advantage. But Nyack College would score the final three points of the set to own a 2-0 (25-23) lead. A determined Chestnut Hill College reversed the theme in the third set, where freshman defensive specialist Kerri Sullivan (West Brandywine, Pa.) served for six straight points to obtain the Griffins a 12-9 edge. The Scarlet and Gold rode that lead for the remainder of the set, pacing the Warriors to a 25-20 (2-1) spread. The fourth set went down to the wire as Chestnut Hill College rallied for a 17-15 lead, but succumbed to a six-point Warrior run, 21-17, before enduring for a 26-24 (2-2) win. In the deciding set, the CACC rivals nearly went point for point until a Griffin error and a pair of Warrior points earned the visitors the league prize, 15-13 (3-2).
 
Byxbee scored 22.5 points with a career-high 21 kills on a .348 (21K-5E-46TA) hitting percentage, an assist, an ace, 18 digs, and a block assist. Freshman right side Lauren Lipinski (Gilbert, Ariz.) and junior middle hitter Cassie Callahan (St. Louis, Mo.) each scored a dozen (12) kills, feeding off of 45 assists from senior setter Kennedy Sutton (Chesapeake, Va.). Callahan led the Chestnut Hill College defense with 17 digs and four block assists.

The first set versus Pace University (11-2) was tight until the Setters used a late run to grab an 18-16 edge and an eventual 25-20 (1-0) victory. Chestnut Hill College answered in the second set, rallying mid-way through the frame for a 22-22 tie and subsequently defeat Pace University, 26-24 (1-1). Unfortunately, it all fell apart in the third set, where the Setters steamrolled to a 19-3 advantage and later a 25-8 (2-1) win. The Griffins were able to slow Pace University in the fourth set, but the Setters still led at 14-10 and 19-13, before concluding the match on a 25-16 (3-1) score.
 
Byxbee again led the Griffins in points with 11.5; she recorded 10 kills, an ace, and a block assist to do so, but additionally provided an assist and 11 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Corrine Kalala (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Lipinski each recorded eight kills, while Sutton supplied a kills, 31 assists, two aces, and seven digs. Callahan offered five kills, two assists, three aces, and 13 digs.
 
Chestnut Hill College resumes their CACC schedule on Tuesday, September 25, when they visit Holy Family University for a 7:00 p.m. match.