Pratt tops Purchase as streak hits three

BROOKLYN, NY – The Pratt Institute women's volleyball team overcame struggles in their offensive game to defeat Purchase College in straight sets (25-22, 25-17, 27-25) and run their winning streak to three games.

"We had a great week of practice but it didn't carry over to tonight," said coach Louis Sepulveda following the match. "However, we did do a good job passing and our service game carried us with 17 service aces. Hitting negatively for the match didn't make me happy and we made a lot of simple unforced errors, but it's all correctable."

The visiting Panthers would be the aggressors to start the first set, racing out to a quick 10-2 lead. Following a Cannoneers timeout, a kill by Emelen Mikelic would begin a 12-3 run that gave Pratt their first lead of the set, 14-13. The momentum would be short-lived, as Purchase orchestrated their own offensive rally to regain control, 23-17. Facing a large deficit, Pratt's service game would save the set. A pair of aces by both Mikelic and Hannah Lee led Pratt to score the final eight points to take the set, 25-23.

In set two, it was the Cannoneers' turn to jump out to an early lead. Consecutive aces by Marlena Todd and three Cori Glidden kills helped Pratt open an 8-1 advantage. Five straight points by the Panthers would cut the lead to two, but they would get no closer. Timely hitting and a string of Purchase errors allowed Pratt to open a commanding lead. An Abby Nagy service ace ended set two as the home side prevailed, 25-16.

As set three progressed, the offensive woes for both teams continued, with neither being able to take control. A back-and-forth struggle ensued, with Purchase taking a 25-24 lead as they attempted to force a fourth set. However, three straight Cannoneers points allowed Louis Sepulveda's squad to take the match in three.

Making up for an off night by the usually reliable Cannoneers attack, Cori Glidden paced Pratt, hitting for five kills while contributing two timely blocks on defense.