BRONX, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) women's volleyball team won both ends of the Lehman College tri-match; defeating the host Lighting, 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-13) before topping the University of Valley Forge, 3-0 (25-7, 25-7, 25-7), on Saturday.
The Bears improve to 6-1 with the wins; their best start to a season since the 2012 campaign.
How it Happened vs. Lehman
Despite the Lightning holding their deficit to as little as two during the first set, 17-15, Martina Urgo (Astoria, N.Y./St. John's Prep) and Taylor Knight (San Ramon, Calif./Dougherty Valley) paced the SJBK attack, thanks to six kills each, to claim the set 25-20.
The second set began with the Lightning taking an early lead but the Bears quickly evened the score, building and maintaining a steady lead thanks to Lehman errors, 25-16. Jenna Diaz (Middle Village, N.Y./Townsend Harris) and Nikiya Philemon (Hamburg, N.J./Sussex County Technical) provided kills of their own in the stanza.
The navy and gray dominated early, leading 13-2. The hosts struggled to respond; allowing the Bears to capitalize and win the set 25-13 and the match 3-0.
How it Happened vs. Valley Forge
The Bears overwhelmed the Patriots, winning all three sets 25-7. Although Valley Forge briefly led in the third set, they couldn't establish a consistent rhythm; which allowed St. Joseph's to seize the opportunity. The Bears showcased their prowess with 22 service aces and had five players record kills; Knight, Urgo, Diaz, Rachel Meltsin (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison), and Juliette DiVittorio (Astoria, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy).
For the Bears vs. Lehman
-
Knight finished with 16 kills, four digs, and three service aces.
-
Urgo logged her second double-double of the season behind 10 kills and 10 digs.
-
Meltsin dished out 30 assists; her second match with 30-plus this season. She also brought up eight digs.
-
Diaz totaled five digs and as many kills.
For the Bears vs. Valley Forge
-
Diaz's 10 aces are the most by a Bear this season. The rookie also had seven digs and four kills.
-
Knight had eight kills and five aces while Urgo posted five kills and four aces.
-
Meltsin distributed 15 assists.
-
The Bears' five-match win streak is the team's longest since a five-match stretch in 2018.
Up Next
The Bears will play back-to-back contests in New Jersey; beginning with a meeting at FDU-Florham on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 pm.