Volleyball Takes First Set Before Falling to FDU on Saturday

The Central Connecticut volleyball team won the opening set before falling, 3-1, to FDU in Northeast Conference action on Saturday in New Britain, CT.  Isabella Bratzke and Lauren Milani each had a double-double for the Blue Devils..

The Blue Devils travel to Mercyhurst for a pair of matches next weekend.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE

Score:  CCSU 1, FDU 3 (10-25, 25-13, 25-15, 25-19)
Records: CCSU (2-16, 0-6 NEC), FDU (16-5, 6-0 NEC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Devils jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first set following an ace by Annabelle Denomme. Central would maintain its lead throughout the set, not allowing FDU to score consecutive points. A run of three points, with a kill by Milani and two more from Bratzke would extend the lead to 19-8 before a late spurt of four unanswered points served by Bratzke would set up set point. A kill by Amanda Tokam would seal the first set for Central.
• Central would get within, 7-6, in the second set after a kill by Milani, but the Knights responded with three straight points before extending the lead to 14-9 and forcing a CCSU timeout. The Knights would close the set on a 7-2 spurt to even the match.
• CCSU trailed, 9-5, in the third set and would take a timeout. The interlude switched momentum and a pair of kills by Bratzke bookended an ace from Milani to get the Blue Devils within 12-11. The Knights would respond by pushing the lead to 20-13 before a kill by Tokam briefly interrupted the run until FDU closed the set out with three of the final four points.
• FDU led 13-6 in the fourth set but the Blue Devils would fight back. A successful challenge and two aces by Milani would help CCSU get within 15-12, but the Knights would push its lead back to seven and Central would be unable to get closer than five points the rest of the way.

NUMBER TO KNOW

.500 – The Blue Devils posted a .500 attack percentage in the first set, and went 11-for-11 on sideout opportunities.

NOTES

• Bratzke had a match-high 16 kills along with 11 digs and two service aces. She hit .625  with five kills in the opening set.
• Milani added 10 kills and 14 digs, along with three aces.
• Kylee Baranski had 39 assists and eight digs.
• Denomme collected 13 digs.
• CCSU is 31-10 in the series going back to 2002. FDU has won the past seven meetings.

UP NEXT

• The Blue Devils travel to Mercyhurst for a pair of matches next weekend.

Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.