Molloy Volleyball Tops S. Conn. in Five-Set Thriller

Molloy junior outside/right-side hitter Angelica Nicalek matched her career high and the school's single season-record for kills with 22 last night, leading the Lions volleyball team to a season-opening 3-2 victory over Southern Connecticut State University at Molloy's Quealy Gymnasium.

Tied at 2-2 in the opening set, the Lions rattled off five unanswered points to take a 7-2 lead. After a timeout by the Owls though, Southern Connecticut stormed back with nine of the next ten points to lead 11-8. Molloy then asked for a break and out of the timeout, scored three consecutive points to tie the set for the third time. Southern Connecticut, however, ended up taking the first set.

The second set was similar to the first as neither team held a lead of more than four points. Tied at 16, the Lions (1-0) went on a 6-2 spurt to snatch a 22-18 lead, but the Owls scored five of the next six points to tie the set at 23. The hosts, however, took advantage of a pair of SCSU errors to earn a second-set victory, 25-23.

In the third set, with Molloy up 10-9, the Lions put the match away for good with a 7-0 run. Nicalek started the spurt with one of her 22 kills. In addition, she also registered a double-double with 15 digs. Stefani Koelbel finished with 18 digs and her twin sister and setter, Jennifer, dished a match-best 46 assists. 

Head Coach Kevin Quiambao and the Lions return to the court on Tuesday when they continue their three-match homestand against Post University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.