Wilmington, Del. – (9/8/2018) – Chestnut Hill College continued play in the Wildcat Regional Invitational today, Saturday, September 8, with matches versus Merrimack College and American International College (AIC). The Griffins scored a 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-19) win in their early match versus the Warriors, hitting .353 (48K-12E-102TA) as a team behind efficient double-digit kill performances from junior outside hitter Reily Byxbee (Madison, Conn.) (13 kills) and freshman right side Lauren Lipinski (Gilbert, Ariz.) (10). Unfortunately, the Scarlet and Gold did not perform as well against AIC as the Yellow Jackets defeated Chestnut Hill College by a 3-1 (16-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-19) final. Junior middle hitter Cassie Callahan (St. Louis, Mo.) was recognized on the all-tournament team with 49.5 points (41 kills, 6 aces, 3 blocks), five assists, and 59 digs.
 
Chestnut Hill College (2-6) eclipsed Merrimack College (2-6) after a 6-6 tie as a pair of Warrior miscues began a 10-6 run that left the Griffins up 16-12. But Merrimack College worked their way back into the match, pulling within a point of the Scarlet and Gold – 17-16 – before Sutton directed Chestnut Hill College to a 25-20 finish. The Warriors looked to even the spread with a 2-0 start to the second frame, but Byxbee and Lipinski quickly nixed their plans, inspiring the Griffins to a 25-19 win. They matched that spread in the third set, 25-19, separating from a 9-9 stalemate for their second win of the season.
 
Sutton supplied 40 assists, most ended up as points with Byxbee scoring 13 kills and Lipinksi landing 10 more. Byxbee and Lipinski did so with efficiency; the former hit .478 (13K-2E-23TA) while recording eight digs and a block, while the former hit .429 (10K-1E-21TA) in excess of six digs and three blocks. Callahan and sophomore middle blocker Ragen Baldwin (Lancaster, Pa.) provided eight kills apiece. In addition, Callahan recorded a two aces, nine digs, and two blocks. Baldwin also made three blocks.
 
The Griffins carried their momentum into their first set opposite AIC as a .321 (12K-3E-28TA) hitting percentage allowed Chestnut Hill College forge past the Yellow Jackets late in a 25-16 victory. Unfortunately, AIC used the loss as motivation, dismissing the Scarlet and Gold over the course of the next three sets; 25-13, 25-21, and 25-19.

Callahan scored a career-high 18 kills with a .245 (18K-5E-53TA) hitting percentage. She also recorded an assist, an ace, and 13 digs. Baldwin was a strong compliment with nine kills, two assists, five digs, and two blocks. Sutton finished with 38 assists and eight digs, helping the Griffins both offense and defense. Also of note; junior defensive specialist Janie Green (Hayes, Va.) offered two assists, two aces, and 11 digs, while sophomore right side Mykala Milchling (Baltimore, Md.) totaled three kills, a dig, and four blocks.  
 
Chestnut Hill College resume their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schedule on Tuesday, September 11, when they visit Goldey-Beacom College for a 7:00 p.m. match.