JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Kelsy Padilla logged seven kills and the Pratt Instute women's volleyball team came on strong late, before dropping a straight-set decision to New Jersey City University in a non-conference road matchup on Wednesday evening.
Pratt (0-2) got off to a slow start dropping the opening set 25-12 before a highly-contested second set saw 11 ties and seven lead changes. With the frame tied 19-all, host NJCU (3-0) took five of the next six points to build a two-set lead. In the third, the Cannoneers fell behind by as many as seven at 21-14 before going on a 6-1 run to close the gap to two. Pratt later erased two match points to pull within one, 24-23, but the Gothic Knights held on for a 25-23 set win to close out the match in three.
Padilla had seven kills at a .158 clip and added three digs. Jamie Shoemake added five error-free kills for a .333 hitting night. Colleen Russell also chipped in five kills with a block assist. Mrudula Pamireddy directed the offense with 14 assists and brought up a team-high seven digs while serving one ace.
Pratt continues a three-match road stretch on Tuesday, September 9, traveling to new Atlantic East Conference foe St. Elizabeth University for a non-conference meeting starting at 7 p.m.
