BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) women's volleyball team bounced back from consecutive defeats, earning a straight-set victory over Purchase College (25–5, 25–15, 25–20) on Thursday night at The Hill Center. The Bears celebrated the careers of Rachel Meltsin (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Jillian McGinty (Glendale, N.Y.), and Taylor Knight (San Ramon, Calif.) during Senior Night ceremonies prior to first serve.
The Bears carried the recognition and focus of Senior Night directly into the opening set, taking control early with a 13-2 start behind Knight's and McGinty's serve to build separation. The Bears totaled four aces and three blocks in the frame, while kills from Carissa Zwiefelhofer (North Bend, Wash.), Keren Crespo (Meriden, Conn.), and Madeleine Niño (San Antonio, Texas) helped maintain the margin as St. Joseph's closed out the set 25–5 — their widest margin in a set this season.
The Panthers kept the second set closer through the opening points, but the Bears used an extended 10-4 stretch midway through to gain control. McGinty and Knight each connected for multiple kills during the run, while Zwiefelhofer added two kills and a service ace as the navy and gray pulled away, 25–15.
The third set featured the most back-and-forth play of the match. Purchase held a 10-7 advantage before St. Joseph's established separation again with an 11-1 run to take an 18-11 lead before holding on to secure the sweep, 25–20.
The senior trio combined for 13 kills, 23 digs, and seven service aces on the night. Knight led with seven kills, 10 digs, and four aces, while McGinty added six kills, five digs, and three aces. Meltsin directed the offense with 19 assists, along with eight digs and an ace.
Zwiefelhofer recorded her fourth triple-double of the season, finishing with 10 kills, 11 assists, and 11 digs. Niño and Crespo contributed four kills apiece, and Cox added three kills and seven digs. Liberos Anna Makarouna (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Mariana Medrano (El Paso, Texas) each tallied five digs, with the former also adding an ace.
The Bears return to The Hill Center for its regular-season home finale on Saturday, November 1 at 1 pm against Farmingdale State College.
