BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute women's volleyball team got off to a slow start before playing a scrappy third set in a 3-0 defeat at home to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in non-conference action at home on Friday evening.
USMMA (1-0) jumped out to a 9-1 lead to open the match and controlled the opening two sets. Pratt (0-1) found their footing in the third and remained step-for-step with the Mariners, building as much as a three-point lead at 8-5. The Cannoneers remained within one at 17-16 trying to force an extra frame, but the visitors ended any hopes of a fourth set, closing out the match on an 8-1 run.
Colleen Russell led Pratt with 10 points by way of five service aces, four kills and a pair of block assists. Maggie Hughes added three kills in her collegiate debut with three block assists and Jamie Shoemake chipped in two kills, four digs and a block assist. Gabby Prieto and Kelsy Padilla had eight digs apiece while Mrudula Pamireddy dished out seven assists.
USMMA was paced by Sydney Douglas' 13-kill, 10-dig double-double leading all attackers. Alexa Tipps dished out 25 assists and served up eight assists.
Pratt hits the road for the next three matches, returning to the courts on Wednesday, September 3 to face New Jersey City University in a 7 p.m. tilt.
