BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute women's volleyball team suffered its first Atlantic East Conference setback of the season Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets to Marymount University, 25-19, 25-19, 25-13, during the program's annual Dig Pink match at the Activity Resource Center.
Pratt (8-9, 2-1 Atlantic East) went point-for-point with the preseason favorites and defending league champions throughout the opening frame, taking an early 4-2 lead on back-to-back service aces from Jamie Shoemake (Los Angeles, Calif.). After the teams traded deadlocks through 10-10, the Saints used a 6-2 push to build a 16-12 advantage. Kills from Colleen Russell (Asbury, N.J.) and Alison Sontag (Manhasset, N.Y.) helped the Cannoneers pull within two at 20-18, but Marymount (11-12, 2-1 Atlantic East) answered with a 5-1 closing spurt to take the set, 25-19.
The Cannoneers seized early control in the second set, opening with three unanswered points on kills from Russell and defensive miscues by the visitors. Marymount responded with seven straight points behind the serving of Hailey LaBonte to take a 7-3 lead, eventually widening the gap to 17-12. Pratt mounted a 4-0 response — keyed by an ace from Shoemake, a combined block from Russell and Joanna Doyle (Warren, N.H.), and a Doyle kill — to pull within one at 17-16. The Saints regained their footing down the stretch, using a late 5-1 run to secure another 25-19 decision.
Marymount took the lead from the start of the third set, racing to a 4-0 cushion and later assembling an 11-1 surge to build an 18-5 advantage. Pratt answered with three consecutive points, utilizing a Russell kill and another Russell-Doyle block to narrow the margin to 18-8, but the Saints closed out the match with a 25-13 win.
Russell anchored the Pratt attack, recording 11 kills on .360 hitting alongside six digs and three block assists. Shoemake totaled four service aces and three digs, while Emma Hwang (Dallas, Texas) distributed 13 assists to go with four digs and two kills. Zoe Broerman (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Kelsy Padilla (Brooklyn, N.Y.) stabilized the defense with six and five digs, respectively.
Pratt totaled 20 kills, six service aces, and three total blocks on the afternoon, while the Saints generated 27 kills, 13 service aces, and 11 total blocks.
Sabrina Schoeberlein led Marymount with eight kills on .294 hitting. Angela McKenzie controlled the net for the Saints with nine total blocks (one solo, eight assists) to go along with four kills and three aces, while Braelyn Ottolini and Emerson Aber distributed 11 and 10 assists, respectively.
Pratt returns to action celebrating Senior Night for Colleen Russell on Wednesday, Oct. 28 against Centenary University. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Activity Resource Center.
