Pratt Outlasts Rutgers-Newark In Thrilling Home Opener

BROOKLYN, NY - The Pratt women's volleyball team (1-3, 0-0 HVIAC) outlasted Rutgers-Newark in a thrilling five-set home opener for its first win of the season, 3-2 (25-20, 12-25, 24-26, 27-25, 15-13) on Thursday evening.

Badesim Kubak (Istanbul, Turkey/ITU Ekrem Elginkan) led the way for the Cannoneers with a career high 34 assists and five service aces.  Paola Beniquez (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Colegio Adianez) added 11 kills while Cori Glidden (Susquehanna, Pa./Susquehanna) and Shannon Corr (Copiague, NY/Copiague) had 11 kills a piece.

Defensively, Deanna Colondona (Manorville, NY/East South Manor) and Beniquez combined for a stellar 49 digs. 

In the first set, Kubak served seven straight winners to give the Cannoneers a 12-6 advantage. Later in the set, Rutgers-Newark used a 6-0 run to regain an 18-16 lead. Pratt, however answered right back with four straight points to retake a 20-18 lead. Leading 21-20, the Cannoneers ripped off the next four points to win the set, 25-20 and take a 1-0 lead.

The Scarlet Raiders controlled the second set, leading wire to wire and taking the set 25-12 to tie the match at one.

The third set saw Rutgers-Newark win 10 of the first 11 points to take a commanding 10-1 lead. Despite the huge hole to begin the set, the Cannoneers roared back throughout the remainder of the set as won 7 of 9 points to tie the match at 24. Despite the comeback, Rutgers-Newark took the next two points to take the set, 26-24 and take a 2-1 advantage.

Trailing 5-4 in the fourth set, Pratt ran off the next six points to take a 10-5 lead. With Pratt leading 14-8 midway through the set, the Scarlet Raiders took the next 10 points to open up a 18-14 lead. With Rutgers-Newark leading 23-20, Pratt stormed back with the next four points to take a 24-23 lead, leading to a Scarlet Raiders timeout. Tied at 25, Pratt scored the next two points, capped by a Colondona service ace to give Pratt the 27-25 win and tie the match at two.

The Scarlet Raiders took early control in the deciding fifth set, winning the first six points. Just like they did all night, the Cannoneers fought right back, winning seven of the next nine points to get within 8-7. Pratt continued to fight back as it tied the match up at 13 after winning 4 of the next five points.

Following an error by Rutgers-Newark to give the Cannoneers the 14-13 lead on match point, Rose Moon (Santa Fe, NM/Santa Fe Waldorf) put away her fourth kill of the match, giving the Cannoneers the 15-13 set win and the 3-2 match victory.

As a team, Pratt had season highs with 81 digs, 53 kills, 50 assists and 12 service aces.

This match marked the first home match on campus and the first win since Pratt officially became a provisional member of the NCAA Division III. 

The Cannoneers look to continue the momentum on Saturday when it travels to Cedar Crest College for a tri-match beginning at 10 am.